Executive Summary
Voters in Michigan are very supportive of several proposed changes in state law to provide greater regulations in the manufacture, sale and possession of firearms. Almost half of all survey respondents said national laws were too lenient, and more than four-in-ten felt the same about state laws.
Although the public believes more regulations are needed, survey respondents by nearly a two-thirds majority said stricter enforcement of existing laws would do more to reduce gun related violence. Consequently, the public will respond to a message that suggests not only that the system should do a better job of enforcing existing laws in order to reduce gun violence, but also that a number of common sense, reasonable gun control regulations are supported by the public — many by overwhelmingly majorities.
Most favor mandatory handgun registration, strong opposition to ownership ban
The most significant overall gun control policy tested in the survey is mandatory registration. Seven-in-ten survey respondents favor the mandatory registration of all handguns, and a more narrow majority would also support the mandatory registration of rifles and shotguns.
While the public supports registration, they overwhelmingly reject a proposal to totally ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns. They also solidly opposed a more limited ban that would outlaw handguns for everyone except law enforcement officials. Moreover, more than seven-in-ten agreed with the statement “we don’t need more gun laws that will erode more of our right to bear arms, we just need to enforce the laws that we have on the books.”
As regards other proposals tested in the survey, strongest support, expressed by overwhelming majorities of 80 percent or more, favor laws
· to require handgun manufacturers to make serial numbers on firearms tamper resistant
· to require all handguns, including those made in the U.S. and in other countries, to meet the same safety and quality standards
· to require manufacturers to design handguns so they cannot be fired by the small hands of a young child
· to deny people convicted of domestic violence from purchasing firearms
· making sentences significantly longer if a gun is used during a crime
· treating the illegal possession of a gun as a serious crime, like robbery or burglary
· Other proposals supported by 70 to 79 percent of survey respondents include:
· requiring a background check of a handgun buyer’s criminal record and a five-day cooling off waiting period
· requiring a handgun owner to inform the agency granting him or her a permit if the gun had been sold, who it was sold to, and a verification that the person who purchased the gun had a permit to purchase the gun, thereby giving law enforcement agencies a way to track ownership.
· subject adults to criminal and civil penalties if they fail to store their firearms in a way that prevents access by children, who then use the firearm and a death or injury results
· raising the minimum legal age for purchasing a handgun from 18 to 21 years of age
· denying people convicted of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit the right to purchase a firearm
· requiring all guns to be stored unloaded
· requiring that all guns be stored with a high quality trigger lock
· a requirement that all guns be stored in a locked box or cabinet
· a proposed law that would require that all new pistols come equipped with magazine disconnect devices.
· Majorities of 60 to 69 percent support proposals to:
· ban all high-capacity ammunition magazines or clips that hold more than 10 rounds, including those manufactured before the 1994 law that banned the sale of new, high-capacity magazines or clips
· require that all new handguns come equipped with a load indicator device.
Majorities of similar 60-plus percentages agreed with statements that “people convicted of assault and battery not involving a lethal weapon or serious injury, or convicted of drunk and disorderly conduct should not be able to buy firearms,” and that “government should do everything it can to keep handguns out of the hands of criminals, even if it means that it will be harder for law-abiding citizens to purchase handguns.”
More narrow majorities of 50 to 59 percent favored proposals to “make handgun ammunition subject to the same restrictions and background checks as the sale of handguns” and “ban the private sale of guns between individuals or through private gun shows, and instead require individuals to sell their guns through licensed gun dealers.”
A bare majority supports legislation to require that “all new handguns are manufactured with personalized technology, even if it cost more and will have an increased chance to not properly work.” An eight-point plurality supported “the denial of the right to purchase a firearm if a person was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.”
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Demographic differences emerge on specific issues
In terms of demographic differences on gun-control issues, Democrats and Independents overall are more supportive of gun control measures than Republicans. However, Republicans are clearly supportive of many gun control policy proposals. There are also significant differences between Republican men and women on gun issues; these will be noted in subsequent discussions of issues.
Moreover, in a number of policy areas, respondents who identified themselves as gun owners or said other household members are gun owners indicated support for pro-gun control measures. These results demonstrate there are a number of differences between the opinions of gun owners as a whole and NRA members in particular.
Finally, there are several important policy areas where respondents who identified themselves as NRA members, or said other household members are members, support changes in the law. These areas will be noted as well.
If the survey data show NRA members as the only group to oppose a pro-gun control proposal, for which Republicans and gun owners indicate support, the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence could argue that the state Legislature would only be representing the interests of the NRA if they opposed a proposal that everyone else supports. If the data show NRA members are as supportive of a proposal as everyone else, it can be argued that there are no excuses for legislators to oppose the proposal.
Majority content with direction of country, state
While a 57 to 28 percent majority of survey respondents said the country is headed in the “right direction,” a higher 64 to 23 percent majority expressed the same opinion about the direction of the state of Michigan. The response to these questions is always a good indication of the overall public’s satisfaction with their lives and how government policies are affecting them.
Up to almost half say national, state gun laws are too lenient
In terms of current laws, the largest group of survey respondents (47 percent), said national laws which regulate the manufacture, sale and possession of firearms are “too lenient” (24 percent said “much” too lenient). Thirty-eight percent said national gun laws are “about right” and 11 percent said they are “too strict.” Forty-one percent said Michigan’s firearms laws are “too lenient,” 41 percent said “about right” and nine percent said “too strict.”
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A demographic analysis of responses to these question reveals:
· A 64 percent majority of Democrats, 52 percent of Independents, but only 26 percent of Republicans said national laws are too lenient. A 52 percent majority of Republicans said national laws were about right.
· Gun owners say national laws are about right by 46 percent and state laws are about right by 51 percent. Surprisingly, a 29-to-21 percent, eight-point margin of gun owners said national laws were too lenient. Likewise, a 27-to-19 percent, eight-point margin of these respondents said state laws were too lenient.
· Among respondents who reported someone else in the household as owning one or more guns, 46 percent said national laws were too lenient, 42 percent said they were about right, and only seven percent said they were too strict. Among this same group, 51 percent said state laws were about right, 35 percent said they were too lenient, and five percent said they were too strict.
· As might be expected, NRA members thought national laws were about right by 45 percent, with 37 percent saying they were too strict and 19 percent saying they were too lenient. Among the same group, 44 percent thought state laws were about right, 37 percent too strict, and 14 percent too lenient.
· Among respondents who reported someone else in the household as an NRA member, 59 percent thought both the national and state laws were about right, with 15 percent saying national laws are too strict and 18 percent saying state laws are too strict.
With exception of NRA members, all groups support handgun registration
A solid majority of survey respondents overall said they would favor a law to require the mandatory registration of all handguns (70 percent “favor” to 25 percent “oppose,” 56 percent “strongly” favor). This is 10 points below the 80 percent level of support for the proposal recorded in a 1999 national NORC survey.
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Every demographic group favors this proposal by solid majorities except Republican men, who favor it by only a 49 to 47 percent plurality; NRA members, who oppose it by a 55 to 45 percent majority; and respondents who said someone else in the household is an NRA member, who oppose it by a 46 to 42 percent plurality.
“NRA member” is the only demographic group that opposes the mandatory registration of handguns. It is worth noting that this proposal is supported by 83 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of Independents, 57 percent of all Republicans, including 66 percent of Republican women, 60 percent of gun owners, and 68 percent respondents who said someone else in the household owns a gun.
Strongest support for a handgun registration law comes from:
· African Americans (84%); all Democrats, Democratic women (83%); older women (82%); Traverse City media market, Independent women, incomes of $30-45,000 (81%); Detroiters (79%); all women (78%); Lansing media market, households where no one owns a gun (77%); outer Wayne County, young college educated, Democratic men (76%); other religions, G.I. generation, younger women, incomes under $30,000 (75%); age 50 to 55 (74%); and Oakland County (73%).
Strongest opposition to a handgun registration law came from:
· NRA members (55%); Republican men (47%); respondents with NRA household member (46%); Republicans (39%); northern Michigan (37%); Macomb County, older men (36%); gun owners (35%); all men (34%); younger men (33%); incomes of $60,000 or more, Catholics, Flint/Saginaw media market, age 36 to 40 (30%).
Among the 70 percent majority of respondents who supported mandatory registration of handguns on the initial asking, an 85 to 13 percent majority in a follow-up question still supported the proposal “knowing that millions of law-abiding citizens who have owned handguns for years would have to report their weapons to the government” (in the most recent national survey, an 84 percent majority remained supportive and 14 percent moved toward opposition on a similar follow-up). When the results of the original question on mandatory registration are adjusted to reflect a drop in support on the follow-up, support drops from 70 percent to 60 percent.
Among the 25 percent of respondents opposed the mandatory registration of handguns on the first asking, 15 percent moved toward support on the follow-up question when they were told “a number of law enforcement organizations favor mandatory registration of handguns to help them trace guns used in crimes and to restrict the illegal ownership and criminal misuse of handguns.” Seventy-six of these respondents continued to oppose the proposal (in the most recent national survey, 69 percent continued to support the proposal and 30 percent switched to support on this follow-up).
When initial results on the question of mandatory registration are adjusted to reflect both follow-up arguments, support increases slightly to 63 percent — still a net drop of seven percentage points below the level of support expressed on the first asking.
Most think stricter enforcement of existing laws is best approach
When all respondents were specifically asked which of two approaches — passing stronger gun control laws, or providing stricter enforcement of existing laws — would do more to reduce gun related violence, a 65 to 15 percent majority chose stricter enforcement of existing gun laws over passing stronger gun control laws, with another 11 percent saying both. National surveys have produced a much more evenly divided response to this question.
It should be noted, however, that the current survey was conducted with only three weeks to go before the November election at a time both major presidential candidates had been talking about the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws. And as mentioned earlier, in key battleground states like Michigan, the NRA had been engaging in a fairly heavy advertising campaign as well.
Strong opposition to handgun ban, even with law enforcement exception
While survey respondents expressed solid support for mandatory handgun registration, they voiced even stronger opposition to a proposed law to totally ban the manufacture, sale, purchase or possession of handguns (by a majority 79 percent “oppose” to 16 percent “support,” including 59 percent “strongly” oppose). In a recent national NORC survey, only 13 percent supported a total ban on handgun sales.
A solid 69 to 26 percent majority also opposes (54 percent “strongly”) a proposed law that would ban handguns for individual citizens, but allow handgun possession by law enforcement officials or other authorized personnel. Nationally in the recent NORC survey, 39 percent support this proposal, 13 percentage points higher than support in Michigan.
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Strong support for tamper-resistant serial numbers, universal manufacturing standards for handguns
An overwhelming majority of survey respondents said they would favor a law to require handgun manufacturers to make serial numbers tamper-resistant (87 percent “favor” to eight percent “oppose,” 70 percent “strongly” favor). Support for this measure is only three points lower than in the most recent national NORC survey, in which a 90 percent majority favored this proposal. Every demographic group in the current survey, including gun owners and NRA members, supports this proposal by overwhelming majorities.
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Respondents were told “Handguns made in foreign countries and imported into the U.S. have to meet certain federal government safety and quality standards, while handguns made in the U.S. do not have to meet any manufacturing or safety standards.” Following this, an 83 to 12 percent favor/oppose majority said they would favor a law to require all handguns, including ones made in the United States and other countries, to meet the same safety and quality standards (67 percent “strongly” favor). This proposal was supported by solid to overwhelming majorities in every demographic group. When respondents who said “favor” were asked if they would still support such a law if the requirement made American-made handguns more expensive, a 92 to five percent majority still favored the law. Combined results of the initial asking and the follow-up show support for the proposal dropping from 83 to 76 percent.
Majority support for gun control proposals:
Respondents heard a description of three proposals to regulate the sale of handguns and were asked which one the prefer.
— background check/waiting period
· A 79 percent majority of survey respondents supported the proposal to require a background check on a handgun buyer’s criminal record and require a 5-day wait, to allow gun buyers to have a cooling off period before the gun could be purchased.
o In recent nationwide NORC polling, 81 percent supported the proposal for background checks and a waiting period, which is only two points higher than support in Michigan.
o A solid to overwhelming majority of current respondents in every demographic group supports this position on background checks and a waiting period (over instant background checks), including 68 percent of men, 62 percent of gun owners and 56 percent of NRA members.
· Seventeen percent supported a proposal for an instant background check on a handgun buyer’s criminal record and no required waiting period.
· Only two percent supported a proposal to eliminate both a background check and a waiting period.
— required information on re-sale
A majority would also support a law “to require a handgun owner to inform the agency that granted him or her a permit if the gun had been sold, who it had been sold to, and a verification that the person who purchased the gun had a permit to purchase the gun, thereby giving law enforcement agencies a way to track ownership” (77 percent “support,” 17 percent “oppose,” 56 percent “strongly” support). Since Michigan currently requires background checks, this proposal would be unique to this state.
· An 83 percent majority of Democrats, 72 percent of Independents, 73 percent of Republicans, 67 percent of gun owners, and 64 percent of NRA members support this proposal.
— ban of high-capacity ammunition magazines/clips
A majority of 64 percent “favor” to 29 percent “oppose” favors a law to “ban all high-capacity ammunition magazines or clips that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, including those which were manufactured before the 1994 law which banned the sale of new, high-capacity magazines or clips” (52 percent “strongly” favors). Support here is only three points lower than the 67 percent majority who supported the proposal in the most recent national NORC survey. In the current survey, this proposal is supported by every demographic group, including 55 percent of NRA members and 52 percent of gun owners.
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— regulation of handgun ammunition
A solid majority would support a law to “make handgun ammunition subject to the same restrictions and background checks as the sale of handguns” (59 percent “favor” to 34 percent “oppose,” 43 percent “strongly” favor). While there is clearly strong support for this idea among current survey respondents, the “favor” percentage is 14 points lower than the 73 percent who supported the idea in the most recent national NORC survey.
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Most demographic groups in the current survey support this proposal, but there are some important exceptions:
· The Flint-Saginaw media market supports the proposal, but only by a 47 to 41 plurality.
· Men overall are split, with 47 percent supporting and 46 percent opposing the proposal.
o Young men oppose it by 48 percent and support it by 47 percent, while older men support it by 46 percent and oppose it by 45 percent.
· Republican men oppose the proposal to require background checks for ammunition purchases by a 58 to 35 percent majority, while Republican women support it by a 62 to 32 percent majority.
· Gun owners oppose the proposal by a 56 to 41 percent majority, while respondents who said someone else in their household was a gun owner oppose it by a narrow 48 to 45 percent plurality.
· NRA members oppose the proposal by a 54 to 41 percent majority, while a 47 to 41 percent plurality of respondents who said someone else in their household was an NRA member supported the proposal.
— ban the private sale of guns
A majority of 56 percent “support,” to 35 percent “oppose,” a law “to ban the private sale of guns between individuals or through private gun shows, and instead require individuals to sell their guns through licensed gun dealers” (39 percent “strongly” support). This proposal is unique to Michigan and therefore cannot be compared to any question asked nationally.
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Most demographic groups in the current survey support this proposal by a majority, but there are several groups that support or oppose it by a plurality, or oppose it by a majority.
· Groups that favor the proposal by a plurality include: central Michigan (48 to 39 percent support/oppose); younger without college (49 to 45 percent); Independent men (48 to 45 percent); age 30 to 35 (43 to 42 percent); age 41 to 49 (48 to 41 percent); age 56 to 64 (49 to 35 percent); and incomes of $75-100,000 (46 to 45 percent).
· Groups that oppose it by a plurality include: Grand Rapids media market (48 to 45 percent oppose/support); all men (46 to 45 percent); younger men (46 to 43 percent); and older men (47 to 46 percent).
· Groups that oppose it by a majority include: northern Michigan (50 to 43 percent oppose/support); gun owners (51 to 43 percent); NRA members (59 to 27 percent); and respondents reporting someone else in the household as an NRA member (62 to 34 percent).
— required magazine disconnect devices
A solid majority would favor a law “to require new pistols to come equipped with magazine disconnect devices” (71 percent “favor” to 18 percent “oppose,” 54 percent “strongly” favor). Nationally in the recent NORC survey, support for this proposal is 11 points higher at 82 percent. Every demographic group in the current survey supports this proposal by a majority except NRA members, who support it by a 47 to 30 percent plurality. Gun owners support it by 61 percent.
— penalties for improper firearm storage
A 78 to 15 percent favor/oppose majority would favor a law in Michigan “to subject adults to criminal and civil penalties if they fail to store their firearms in a way that prevents access by children, who then use the firearm where a death or injury results” (65 percent “strongly” favor). Results here are almost identical to the 76 percent majority in the recent NORC survey who supports the proposal nationally. In the current survey, every group supports this proposal, including 73 percent of gun owners and 59 percent of NRA members.
— required load indicator device
A 64 to 24 percent support/oppose majority supports legislation that would “require all new handguns to be equipped with a load indicator device.” Here support is nine points below the NORC national survey results of 73 percent “support” on this question. Almost every demographic group in the current survey supports this proposal including 75 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Independents, and 54 percent of Republicans.
· A 51 to 44 percent oppose/support majority of Republican men and a 54 to 33 percent oppose/support majority of NRA members opposed the proposal.
· A 52 percent majority of gun owners, 65 percent of respondents reporting someone else owning a gun, and 65 percent of respondents reporting someone else in the household is an NRA member support the proposal.
— required personalized handgun technology
A more narrow majority favors legislation that would require “all new handguns are manufactured with personalized technology, even if it cost more and will have an increased chance to not properly work” (50 percent “favor” to 42 percent “oppose,” 36 percent “strongly” favor). Nationally in the recent NORC survey, a 63 percent majority supported the use of personalized technology to manufacture handguns.
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In the current survey, Democrats support this proposal by a 58 percent majority and Independents support it by only one point less (57 percent), but Republicans oppose it by a narrow majority, 52 to 39 percent oppose/support. While a 51 to 43 percent majority of men oppose it, a 55 to 34 percent majority of women support it. Both gun owners and NRA members oppose this proposal.
Strongest support comes from:
· Democratic men (65%); African Americans, Democratic women (63%); Traverse City media market, union members (61%); outer Detroit metro area (60%); respondents reporting no gun owner in household (59%); incomes over $100,000 (58%); Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, older women, younger college educated (57%); Detroit media market, G.I. generation (56% each); all women, younger women, age 36 to 40, incomes of $30-$60,000 (55%).
Strongest opposition comes from:
· Republican men (68%); NRA members (63%); incomes of $60-75,000 (56%); gun owners (55%); Flint/Saginaw media market, older men, respondents reporting someone else in household is a gun owner or NRA member (54% each); incomes of $75-100,000 (53%); central Michigan, all Republicans (52%); all men (51%); Grand Rapids media market, younger men, and age 55 to 64 (48%).
— child-proof handgun design
A majority of 80 percent “support” to 16 percent “oppose” favors a requirement “that gun manufacturers design handguns sold in the U.S. so they cannot be fired by the small hands of a young child” (65 percent “strongly” support). Nationally, an 86 percent majority supports this proposal in the recent NORC survey. Majorities of every demographic group in the current survey support this proposal, including 68 percent of gun owners; 85 percent of respondents reporting someone else in the household owns a gun; 51 percent of NRA members; and 86 percent of respondents reporting someone else in the household is an NRA member.
— raising minimum legal age for handgun purchase
A 76 to 20 percent support/oppose majority supports “raising the minimum legal age for purchasing a handgun from 18 to 21 years of age.” Nationally, 80 percent supported this proposal in the NORC survey. In the current survey, solid majorities of every group supports this proposal including 67 percent of gun owners and 58 percent of NRA members.
— require unloaded storage
A 72 to 22 percent majority supports a requirement that all guns be stored unloaded. Nationally, support in the NORC survey is almost identical with 73 percent supporting this proposal. Every demographic group supports this proposal including 64 percent of Republicans and gun owners, as well as 59 percent of NRA members.
— required trigger lock
A 71 to 23 percent support/oppose majority supports a proposed requirement that “all guns be stored with a high quality trigger lock which prevents the gun from being fired until the device around the trigger is unlocked and removed.” A 73 percent majority supports this proposal nationally in the NORC survey. Every demographic group in the current survey supports this proposal except NRA members, who oppose it by a 49 to 41 percent oppose/support plurality. Gun owners support it by a 54 percent majority.
— locked box/cabinet storage
A 70 to 25 percent support/oppose majority supports a requirement“ that all guns be stored in a locked box or cabinet.” Support in the NORC survey nationally for this proposal is slightly higher at 74 percent. In the current survey, every demographic group supports this proposal, except NRA members, who oppose it by a 68 percent majority. Gun owners support it by 53 percent, respondents reporting someone else in the household is a gun owner support it by 77 percent, and respondents reporting someone else in the household is an NRA member support it by 68 percent.
— mandatory registration of rifles and shotguns
While a 70 percent majority supports the mandatory registration of all handguns, a much closer 54 to 43 percent support/oppose majority supports the “mandatory registration of rifles and shotguns.” Nationally, a 61 percent majority supported the same proposal in the NORC survey.
Strongest support came from:
· younger women (74%); age 18 to 29 (73%); African Americans (72%); Macomb County (71%); Democratic women (70%); outer Detroit metro area, younger college educated, age 36 to 40 (66%); Independent women, Republican women (63%); all Democrats, respondents reporting someone else in the household is a gun owner and respondents in households where no one owns guns (62%); Detroit media market, incomes of $45-60,000 (61%); Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, post high school education, age 30 to 35 (60%); older women (59%); Detroiters, Oakland County, respondents with children in the household, younger without college, college educated, incomes over $100,000 (58%).
Strongest opposition came from:
· NRA members (77%); gun owners (63%); older men (61%); all men (58%); younger men (56%); Grand Rapids media market, all Republicans, respondents reporting someone else in the household is an NRA member (53%); western Michigan, Silent generation, Independent men (52%); incomes of $60-$75,000 (51%); high school or less education (50%); age 56 to 64 (49%); and older people without college (48%).
Agree/disagree:
Respondents were asked if they agree or disagree with a series of gun-control statements:
—government should do everything it can to keep handguns out of the hands of criminals
A majority agrees “the government should do everything it can to keep handguns out of the hands of criminals, even if it means that it will be harder for law-abiding citizens to purchase handguns” (67 percent “agree” to 27 percent “disagree,” 50 percent “strongly” agree). Agreement in the current survey is almost as high as recorded the most recent national NORC survey, where a 70 percent majority expressed the same opinion. Majorities of every group in the current survey except NRA members agreed with this statement, with Republican men registering agreement by a narrow 51 to 48 percent majority and NRA members split on the question at 45 percent.
— longer sentences for use of gun in crime
An 84 percent to 11 percent agree/disagree majority agreed that “if a gun is used during a crime, the sentence for the crime should be significantly longer than it would otherwise be.” A 78 percent majority agreed with this statement in the recent nationwide NORC survey. Every group agrees by overwhelming majorities in the current survey.
— illegal gun possession treated as serious crime
A majority agreed “the illegal possession of a gun should be treated as a serious crime like a robbery or burglary” (81 percent agree to 13 percent disagree). An 82 percent majority agreed nationally in the NORC survey, and in the current survey every group agrees by overwhelming majorities.
— more pressing need to enforce existing laws
A 72 to 24 percent agree/disagree majority also concurred (58 percent “strongly” agree) that “we don’t need more gun laws that will erode more of our right to bear arms, we just need to enforce the laws that we have on the books.” This statement was not tested in the national surveys. In the current survey, every group agrees by solid majorities.
Majorities agree certain criminals should be barred from firearms purchase
Respondents were read a list of crimes that people who have been convicted of can still legally purchase firearms that in most states, and then asked if people convicted of each type of crime should or should not be allowed to purchase firearms. Overall, support for barring people convicted of the crimes from buying firearms is significantly higher in the national NORC survey than in Michigan.
In the current survey:
· an 82 to 13 percent yes/no majority said people convicted of domestic violence should not be able to purchase firearms (nationally, 90 percent felt the same way in the NORC survey).
· a majority said people convicted of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit should not be able to purchase a firearm — 76 percent to 15 percent yes/no (nationally in the NORC survey, 83 percent agreed). Overwhelming majorities of every group in the current survey agreed.
· a 63 to 26 percent yes/no majority said people convicted of assault and battery not involving a lethal weapon or serious injury should not be able to buy firearms (an 82 percent majority agreed in the national NORC survey). In the current survey, solid to overwhelming majorities of every group agreed.
· a majority said people convicted of drunk and disorderly conduct should not be able to buy firearms — 61 percent “agree” to 29 percent “disagree” (an 84 percent majority agrees nationally in the NORC survey). A majority of every group in the current survey agreed with these overall results except two: Republican men said such people should be able to purchase a gun by a 49 to 42 percent plurality, and NRA members were split on the question at 36 percent.
In the current survey, lowest agreement was on the statement that people convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol should not be able to buy firearms (49 to 41 percent plurality agree/disagree; nationally in the NORC survey, a 67 percent majority agreed).
· Groups saying by the highest percentages that people convicted of driving under the influence should NOT be able to buy a gun included: G.I. generation (64%); respondents reporting someone else in the household is an NRA member (63%); older women (62%); incomes under $30,000 (60%); Republican women (59%); Detroiters, older without college (58%); outer Wayne County, African Americans, age 50 to 55 (57%); age 65 and older (56%); Protestants (55%); western Michigan (54%); all women, and Democratic men (53%).
· Groups saying by the highest percentages that people convicted of driving under the influence SHOULD be able to purchase a gun included: younger men (57%); age 41 to 49, incomes of $60-75,000 (54%); Republican men (52%); Macomb County, young college educated (51%); union members (50%); all men, younger without college, age 18 to 29 (49%); age 36 to 40 (48%); Flint/Saginaw media market, Independents, incomes of $45$60,000 (47%); other religions, Boom generation, college educated, Independent men (46%); central Michigan, Oakland County, Catholics, NRA members, and incomes of $30-45,000 (45%).