A new poll out this morning shows broad support for the gun-rights lobby in the U.S. and for self-defense rights — prime timing for the National Rifle Association goes into its convention weekend today with presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as a speaker.
Most want gun owners well-screened before they take ownership of a weapon, though.
The Ipsos/Reuters poll conducted this week found that 68 percent had a favorable opinion of the NRA, including 55 percent of Democrats surveyed.
Eighty-seven percent of respondents, strong on both the left and right, supported the use of deadly force for home protection. Two-thirds backed the same right for protection out in public. Majorities also support concealed carry laws.
Only 6 percent of all surveyed said there should be no or very few restrictions on gun ownership. Ninety-one percent support background checks for gun purchases.
Sixty-nine percent support limiting the number of guns a person could purchase in a given time frame. Seventy-four percent support laws limiting the sale of automatic weapons.
In addition to gauging the public’s attitude on the NRA, the poll also asked for favorability ratings toward the ACLU, AARP and NAACP. The AARP won with 81 percent.
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