Scott Powers
A new poll says that Floridians want stronger background checks and no-fly, no-buy restrictions for guns — and feel strongly enough about it to vote that way.
Public Policy Polling said the results also say that making it harder for criminals to get guns is either a “very important” or “somewhat important” issue for them in the upcoming election.
PPP surveyed both Florida and New Hampshire voters, measuring both gun issues and their potential impact on the U.S. Senate races in both states. The poll concluded voters not only want tighter gun restrictions but believe their incumbent Republican U.S. Senators, Marco Rubio in Florida and Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire share their views more than their records would indicate.
PPP surveyed 938 registered Florida voters from August 5-7. The margin of error was 3.2 percent, PPP stated.
Among the findings:
— 92 percent of Florida registered voters say making it harder for criminals to get guns is either a “very important” or “somewhat important” issue for them in the upcoming election.
— At least 80 percent of gun owners, women, men, Democrats, Republicans, independents, and voters of all age groups in both states all say making it harder for criminals to get guns is either a “very important” or “somewhat important” issue for them.
— Strong majorities of gun owners, (68 percent,) women (76 percent,) men (70 percent,) Democrats (81 percent,) Republicans (65 percent,) independents (71 percent,) Hispanics (71 percent,) and majorities in every age group all say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports background checks for gun purchases.
— A plurality , 48 percent, say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes background checks on gun sales, even if they agree with that candidate on most other issues.
