For approaching the truth.

In a few media outlets, the latest Gallup poll on weapons bans is getting traction.

Poll: Majority of Americans Oppose ‘Assault Rifles’ Ban
A Gallup poll released October 19 shows that a majority of Americans oppose passing a ban on “assault rifles.”

According to the poll, 40 percent of Americans support such a ban but 57 percent oppose it. Gallup notes that the 40 percent “support for an assault rifles ban is below the historical average of 47%.”

The numbers are news because they invert years of alleged surveys which indicated massive support for such a ban. For instance:

• 9/12/2014: The Assault Weapon Myth
  In a poll last December, 59 percent of likely voters said they favor a ban. (Rasmussen poll)
• 6/15/2016: Gauging Americans’ views on Orlando mass shooting
  57 percent favor a ban, up from 44 percent. (CBS poll)
• 2/20/2018: Florida Shooting: 50 Percent of Americans Now Want Nationwide Ban on Assault Weapons, Poll Shows
  50 percent of Americans polled said they would support a total ban on the sale of assault weapons(WaPO/ABC poll)
• 2/20/2018: U.S. Support For Gun Control Tops 2-1, Highest Ever
  67 […] percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons (Quinnipiac poll)
• 2/22/2018: 70% of Americans want stricter assault weapon laws — more than ever before
  The nationwide average of 70% is even higher than the 67% that want to ban assault weapons and the 66% that wanted tougher gun laws in general in a recent Quinnipiac University poll. Those figures are the highest ever in the 10-year history of the poll. (MSN poll)

And yet, here we are in October 2018:

Gallup: In U.S., Support for Assault Weapons Ban at Record Low
In Gallup’s 2016 Crime poll, conducted Oct. 5-9, opposition now exceeds support by 25 percentage points, 61% to 36%.

“Damn it, Swift! Any time the numbers are pro-RKBA, you’re supposed to flip the chart over before releasing it.”

This may be the closest-to-honest poll released by Gallup in years, if not decades. I never believed the previous counter-polls because they never approached the reality expressed in actual popular votes, referendums and initiatives. This new Gallup poll comes closer to matching real-world voting by the people.

People “vote” in other ways, as well. Earlier this year, California reclassified crippled “bullet-button” rifles as “assault weapons” and required they be registered. It’s been estimated that only three percent (3%) were actually registered.

One might expect that registration compliance rate to be a little higher if even 36% percent of folks think they should be banned.

Gallup seems to have stumpled up, and accidentally released, the partial truth of majority opposition to confiscation schemes. But they still haven’t grasped the magnitude of opposition.

Three percent. Compliance. Consider that California laws essentially required every lawful gun owner to be licensed (thus registered), and all firearms sales to be recorded. 97% of registered owners with registered suddenly-assault-weapons blew them off this year. In California.

Carl is an unpaid TZP volunteer. If you found this post useful, please consider dropping something in his tip jar. He could really use the money, what with truck repairs and recurring bills. And the rabbits need feed. Truck insurance, lest I be forced to sell it. Click here to donate via PayPal.
(More Tip Jar Options)

Ed. note: This commentary appeared first in TZP’s weekly email alert. If you would like to be among the first to see new commentary (as well as to get notice of new polls and recaps of recent posts), please sign up for our alert list. (See sidebar or, if you’re on a mobile device, scroll down). Be sure to respond when you receive your activation email!