Majorities Both Oppose & Don't Expect More Gun Control Laws
UTICA, New York - A new Zogby International interactive poll of likely voters about the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Tucson, AZ found most do not expect it will change political rhetoric and that the shooter was not politically motivated.
Also, 60% say the shootings should not lead to stronger gun control laws, and 71% doubt stricter laws will be enacted.
Here are results of the survey for all voters, as well as for Democrats, Republicans and independents. Totals in tables may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Do you believe that politicians bear some responsibility for the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other people in Tucson, AZ due to the language and images they use against other politicians?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
38% |
71% |
8% |
34% |
|
No |
56% |
19% |
89% |
59% |
|
Not sure |
7% |
10% |
3% |
7% |
Do you believe the alleged perpetrator of the Tucson shootings targeted Rep. Giffords because of her political beliefs?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
28% |
47% |
12% |
25% |
|
No |
42% |
22% |
60% |
44% |
|
Not sure |
30% |
31% |
28% |
32% |
Do you believe the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others in Tucson, AZ will lead to more moderation in the language and images politicians use when talking about issues and politicians and others who disagree with them?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes, this is a wake-up call and a turning point and politicians will raise the level of respect when disagreeing with others. |
4% |
8% |
2% |
4% |
|
Somewhat, this will moderate the rhetoric, but only in the short term. |
34% |
45% |
22% |
36% |
|
No, there will be no change in how politicians speak of the opposition. |
47% |
41% |
52% |
47% |
|
There is nothing wrong with the way politicians currently speak of the opposition. |
12% |
3% |
21% |
11% |
|
Not sure |
3% |
4% |
3% |
3% |
Which party's politicians do you believe are most responsible for language and images that might encourage violent actions by the public?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Democrats |
20% |
4% |
36% |
20% |
|
Republicans |
37% |
75% |
3% |
31% |
|
Neither |
27% |
8% |
47% |
27% |
|
Both equally responsible |
15% |
13% |
13% |
21% |
|
Not sure |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
Should the opinion media (TV, radio, blogs, etc.) share some blame for the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords and the others in Tucson?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
39% |
67% |
12% |
38% |
|
No |
52% |
20% |
84% |
52% |
|
Not sure |
9% |
12% |
4% |
10% |
Do you think the shootings in Tucson should lead to toned down rhetoric on the talk shows (radio and TV)?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
43% |
75% |
12% |
40% |
|
No |
51% |
19% |
82% |
52% |
|
Not sure |
6% |
6% |
6% |
8% |
Which statement best reflects your thinking on the recent shootings of Rep. Giffords and others in Tucson?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
The shootings were the actions of a deranged man determined to inflict mayhem and they could not have been prevented. |
63% |
34% |
91% |
64% |
|
Stricter controls of guns and ammunition could have prevented the tragedy. |
24% |
48% |
2% |
20% |
|
Neither |
9% |
9% |
5% |
12% |
|
Not sure |
5% |
8% |
2% |
5% |
Do you think the shootings in Tucson should lead to stronger gun control policies in the U.S.?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
35% |
67% |
6% |
31% |
|
No |
60% |
26% |
92% |
61% |
|
Not sure |
6% |
6% |
3% |
8% |
Do you think the shootings in Tucson will lead to stronger gun control policies in the U.S.?
|
Response |
All Voters |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Independents |
|
Yes |
10% |
11% |
11% |
8% |
|
No |
71% |
76% |
65% |
71% |
|
Not sure |
20% |
14% |
24% |
21% |
Pollster John Zogby: "The tragedy in Tucson further exposed the divisions between Democrats and Republicans and showed voters have little hope the shootings will change the tone of our politics. So we will wait and see if President Obama's memorial service speech changes that dynamic."
The interactive poll consisting of 4,043 likely voters was conducted beginning on the evening of January 11 and concluded on the morning of January 13, 2011, and has a margin of error of +/-1.6%. Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race, religion, gender and education to more accurately reflect the population.