Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 10-13, 2013, among a random national sample of 1,001 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results have a 3.5-point error margin. This survey was produced for The Washington Post by Capital Insight, with sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 55 32 23 41 8 33 4
12/16/12 54 33 21 42 9 32 5
11/4/12 RV 52 33 10 46 10 36 2
11/3/12 RV 51 33 10 47 10 37 2
11/2/12 RV 51 32 11 47 11 36 2
11/1/12 RV 50 31 11 48 11 37 2
10/31/12 RV 50 30 11 48 11 37 2
10/30/12 RV 50 28 12 48 12 37 2
10/29/12 RV 50 28 11 48 11 36 2
10/28/12 RV 51 28 11 46 11 36 3
10/27/12 RV 50 28 11 46 11 36 3
10/26/12 RV 51 29 10 46 10 36 3
10/25/12 RV 50 29 9 47 9 37 3
10/24/12 RV 50 29 10 48 10 38 3
10/23/12 RV 50 29 21 47 9 37 3
10/22/12 RV 50 30 20 47 10 38 3
10/21/12 RV 51 31 20 47 10 37 2
10/13/12 50 30 21 44 10 34 6
9/29/12 50 26 24 46 12 34 4
9/9/12 49 29 20 45 11 35 6
8/25/12 50 27 23 46 13 33 4
7/8/12 47 24 24 49 15 34 4
5/20/12 47 26 21 49 13 36 3
4/8/12 50 30 20 45 10 35 6
3/10/12 46 28 18 50 11 39 4
2/4/12 50 29 22 46 11 36 3
1/15/12 48 25 23 48 11 37 4
12/18/11 49 25 24 47 13 34 4
11/3/11 44 22 22 53 15 37 3
10/2/11 42 21 21 54 14 40 4
9/1/11 43 21 22 53 16 38 3
8/9/11* 44 18 26 46 9 37 10
7/17/11 47 25 22 48 14 35 5
6/5/11 47 27 20 49 13 37 4
5/2/11** 56 29 27 38 14 24 6
4/17/11 47 27 21 50 12 37 3
3/13/11 51 27 24 45 12 33 4
1/16/11 54 30 23 43 15 28 3
12/12/10 49 24 25 47 15 32 4
10/28/10 50 27 23 45 11 34 5
10/3/10 50 26 24 47 13 34 3
9/2/10 46 24 22 52 14 38 3
7/11/10 50 28 22 47 12 35 3
6/6/10 52 30 22 45 12 33 4
4/25/10 54 31 23 44 11 33 3
3/26/10 53 34 20 43 8 35 3
2/8/10 51 29 22 46 12 33 3
1/15/10 53 30 24 44 13 32 2
12/13/09 50 31 18 46 13 33 4
11/15/09 56 32 23 42 13 29 2
10/18/09 57 33 23 40 11 29 3
9/12/09 54 35 19 43 12 31 3
8/17/09 57 35 21 40 11 29 3
7/18/09 59 38 22 37 9 28 4
6/21/09 65 36 29 31 10 22 4
4/24/09 69 42 27 26 8 18 4
3/29/09 66 40 26 29 9 20 5
2/22/09 68 43 25 25 8 17 7
*Washington Post
**Washington Post/Pew Research Center
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling the economy? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 50 24 25 47 10 37 3
12/16/12 50 27 23 48 10 38 3
10/13/12 RV 47 26 21 51 10 41 2
9/29/12 RV 47 23 25 52 10 41 1
9/9/12 RV 45 24 21 53 8 45 2
8/25/12 44 20 23 54 12 42 3
7/8/12 44 21 23 54 13 41 2
5/20/12 42 20 22 55 11 44 2
4/8/12 44 23 21 54 12 42 2
3/10/12 38 20 18 59 9 50 2
2/4/12 44 23 22 53 11 41 3
1/15/12 41 19 22 57 11 46 2
12/18/11 41 17 24 56 13 43 2
11/3/11 38 18 20 61 13 48 2
10/2/11 35 17 19 61 13 48 4
9/1/11 36 15 21 62 15 47 2
7/17/11 39 18 22 57 15 43 3
6/5/11 40 20 20 59 10 49 2
5/2/11* 40 18 22 55 16 39 4
4/17/11 42 23 19 57 11 46 2
3/13/11 43 22 21 55 13 41 2
1/16/11 46 22 24 51 13 38 2
12/12/10 43 21 22 54 15 39 3
10/28/10 RV 44 21 23 54 15 39 3
10/3/10 45 22 23 53 13 41 2
9/2/10 41 20 21 57 13 44 2
7/11/10 43 20 23 54 13 41 4
6/6/10 50 26 24 49 12 37 2
4/25/10 49 24 25 49 10 39 2
3/26/10 45 23 22 52 12 40 3
2/8/10 45 22 23 53 15 38 2
1/15/10 47 22 24 52 13 39 1
12/13/09 46 23 24 52 12 40 2
11/15/09 51 26 25 47 12 36 2
10/18/09 50 29 22 48 13 35 1
9/12/09 51 28 24 46 13 33 2
8/17/09 52 27 25 46 13 33 2
7/18/09 52 29 23 46 10 35 3
6/21/09 56 28 28 41 13 27 3
4/24/09 58 31 28 38 13 25 4
3/29/09 60 34 25 38 12 26 3
2/22/09 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center
3. Do you support or oppose Obama’s nomination of former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense? Do you feel that way strongly, or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 42 19 23 24 10 14 33
4. Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?
Right Wrong No
direction track opinion
1/13/13 39 57 5
1/13/13 RV 37 58 5
10/31/12 LV 43 55 2
10/13/12 RV 42 56 3
9/29/12 RV 38 60 2
8/25/12 RV 29 69 2
7/8/12 33 63 4
4/8/12 33 64 3
1/15/12 30 68 2
11/3/11 22 74 3
9/1/11 20 77 3
6/5/11 32 66 2
1/16/11 38 60 3
12/12/10 31 67 2
10/28/10 RV 27 71 2
6/6/10 37 60 3
3/26/10 38 60 2
1/15/10 37 62 1
11/15/09 44 55 2
10/18/09 44 54 2
8/17/09 44 55 1
6/21/09 47 50 3
4/24/09 50 48 2
3/29/09 42 57 1
2/22/09 31 67 2
1/16/09 19 78 3
12/14/08 15 82 3
10/25/08 LV 13 85 2
10/11/08 RV 8 90 2
9/22/08 RV 14 83 3
8/22/08 19 78 2
6/15/08 14 84 2
5/11/08 16 82 2
1/12/08 21 77 2
11/1/07 24 74 2
6/1/07 25 73 2
1/19/07 26 71 3
11/4/06 RV 39 59 2
10/22/06 30 68 2
10/8/06 32 66 2
5/15/06 29 69 2
11/2/05 30 68 2
10/24/04 LV 41 55 4
4/18/04 42 57 1
4/30/03 52 46 2
9/26/02 43 53 4
2/21/02 54 42 4
2/14/99 55 41 4
11/1/98 55 43 2
8/21/98 57 40 4
7/12/98 50 45 6
4/4/98 55 41 4
1/31/98 61 34 5
1/30/98 61 34 5
1/19/98 44 50 6
8/27/97 39 57 4
6/8/97 37 60 3
3/9/97 34 62 4
10/17/96 RV 40 55 5
10/16/96 RV 42 53 5
10/15/96 RV 43 52 5
10/14/96 RV 44 51 5
10/13/96 RV 44 51 5
9/04/96 RV 40 54 6
8/21/96 28 67 5
6/30/96 26 70 5
3/17/96 27 70 3
1/21/96 27 66 6
1/3/96 21 77 3
4/5/95 23 73 3
1/4/95 27 68 6
10/31/94 27 69 4
7/20/94 26 70 4
3/27/94 28 69 3
1/23/94 31 60 10
11/14/93 25 69 6
8/8/93 26 71 3
6/20/93 26 71 3
4/26/93 27 71 2
3/11/93 36 57 7
2/28/93 37 59 4
1/17/93 31 63 6
12/14/92 35 60 5
10/27/92 RV 22 76 2
10/4/92 RV 18 78 4
6/7/92 14 83 3
4/9/92 16 81 3
3/11/92 18 79 4
1/15/92 19 78 3
11/10/91 24 72 4
10/29/91 26 71 3
8/27/91 31 60 9
7/28/91 30 67 3
6/2/91 39 57 4
4/9/91 42 51 7
2/26/91 58 39 3
1/27/91 49 48 4
10/14/90 19 79 2
9/9/90 36 60 4
8/20/90 35 60 5
7/24/90 37 60 2
5/21/90 39 60 2
3/26/90 44 53 2
2/4/90 49 48 3
1/16/90 48 49 3
5/23/89 42 55 3
3/16/89 46 52 2
1/16/89 LV 51 46 3
10/25/88 LV 49 46 6
9/27/88 48 44 8
7/11/88 40 56 4
5/25/88 35 59 6
3/21/88 40 56 4
1/23/88 39 59 2
12/13/87 49 47 4
12/2/87 35 61 4
9/23/87 43 54 4
6/29/87 35 62 3
4/13/87 37 60 3
3/9/87 38 58 4
1/18/87 39 56 5
9/8/86 50 48 2
1/26/86 45 47 8
7/29/85 52 43 6
1/16/85 59 36 4
5/22/84 47 48 5
12/13/83 43 51 6
11/7/83 51 44 5
4/12/83 41 54 4
3/2/83 43 53 3
10/11/82 35 57 8
1/30/82 39 56 5
2/80* 20 70 10
2/78 34 53 13
2/77 41 44 14
10/75 19 71 9
10/74 15 75 11
10/73 16 74 10
*2/80 and previous: Roper
5. Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel (optimistic) or (pessimistic) about the policies Obama will pursue in his second term in office?
----- Optimistic ---- ---- Pessimistic ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
1/13/13 53 26 27 41 12 29 6
12/16/12 55 26 29 41 14 26 5
12/14/08* 68 NA NA 26 NA NA 6
* "the policies Obama will pursue"
Compare to Bush:
Optimistic Pessimistic No opinion
12/11/06 47 47 6
5/15/06 43 53 4
12/18/05 53 43 4
12/19/04* 51 45 5
* "... in his second term in office"
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly, or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 19 4 15 76 21 55 4
1/15/12 13 3 11 84 19 65 3
10/2/11 14 3 11 82 20 62 4
3/13/11 27 7 20 69 24 45 4
1/16/11 28 6 21 66 24 43 7
10/28/10 RV 23 6 17 74 21 53 3
10/3/10 24 6 18 73 22 51 3
9/2/10 25 5 20 72 21 51 4
6/6/10 26 7 20 71 20 51 2
3/26/10 24 7 18 72 18 54 4
2/8/10 26 NA NA 71 NA NA 3
7/13/08 23 71 6
2/1/08 33 59 8
12/9/07 32 60 8
11/1/07 28 65 7
9/30/07 29 65 6
7/21/07 37 60 4
6/1/07 39 " " 53 " " 8
4/15/07 44 8 36 54 25 29 3
2/25/07 41 NA NA 54 NA NA 5
1/19/07 43 50 8
12/11/06 37 " " 57 " " 6
11/4/06 RV 36 7 29 60 25 35 4
10/22/06 31 5 25 65 27 38 4
10/8/06 32 5 27 66 29 37 2
9/7/06 40 NA NA 55 NA NA 5
8/6/06 36 60 4
5/15/06 33 63 4
4/9/06 35 62 3
3/5/06 36 62 3
1/26/06 43 53 4
1/8/06 41 55 5
12/18/05 43 53 4
11/2/05 37 59 4
8/28/05 37 59 4
6/5/05 41 54 4
10/29/03 40 52 9
4/30/03 57 37 6
9/26/02 51 43 6
7/15/02 57 36 7
2/21/02 57 39 4
1/27/02 58 35 7
12/19/01 59 34 7
9/9/01 45 48 7
7/30/01 48 48 4
4/22/01 58 33 8
10/31/99 42 53 6
9/2/99 46 47 7
6/6/99 48 46 6
3/14/99 44 49 7
2/14/99 46 50 4
12/20/98 44 51 5
12/19/98 45 50 5
12/13/98 49 46 5
11/7/98 41 55 4
11/1/98 49 47 5
10/25/98 45 44 11
10/18/98 46 45 8
9/28/98 52 44 4
8/21/98 55 39 6
7/12/98 46 44 11
5/12/98 45 45 9
4/4/98 47 45 8
1/31/98 55 35 10
1/30/98 55 35 10
1/25/98 56 37 8
1/24/98 55 38 7
1/19/98 47 49 5
10/13/97 36 57 7
8/27/97 39 54 7
7/8/97 40 53 6
4/24/97 40 53 7
3/9/97 35 60 5
1/15/97 38 56 6
8/5/96 42 52 7
6/30/96 35 58 7
5/22/96 35 60 5
3/10/96 30 64 6
1/7/96 31 65 5
11/19/95 27 68 5
10/1/95 32 65 3
7/17/95 34 63 3
4/5/95 37 57 6
3/19/95 39 56 5
1/29/95 42 52 6
10/31/94 21 72 8
10/23/94 18 78 4
9/11/94 24 70 5
6/26/94 34 61 5
3/27/94 35 62 3
2/27/94 32 64 4
1/23/94 29 60 11
11/14/93 28 66 6
8/8/93 33 64 3
4/26/93 30 69 2
1/17/93 29 66 6
6/7/92 16 77 6
4/9/92 17 78 5
3/18/92 19 76 5
3/8/92 22 73 6
2/2/92 32 64 4
12/15/91 35 59 6
10/21/91 45 50 5
6/2/91 49 46 5
10/14/90 34 63 3
2/4/90 41 55 4
1/16/90 39 55 6
8/21/89 42 53 5
5/23/89 54 44 2
2/14/89 53 44 3
1/23/88 43 53 4
6/1/87 56 40 4
6/22/85 54 37 9
5/83* 33 43 24
6/81 38 40 22
6/79 19 61 20
9/78 29 49 22
6/77 34 42 24
6/75 29 54 17
8/74 48 " " 35 " " 17
*5/83 and previous: Gallup
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ITEM] are doing their job?
1/13/13 - Summary Table
Approve Disapprove No opinion
a. The Democrats in Congress 37 59 3
b. The Republicans in Congress 24 71 4
Trend:
a. The Democrats in Congress
Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/13/13 37 59 3
12/16/12 39 56 5
3/10/12 34 60 6
1/15/12 33 62 5
12/18/11 27 66 7
4/17/11 36 60 4
10/3/10 36 61 3
7/18/09 47 48 5
4/24/09 45 49 6
2/22/09 50 44 6
7/13/08 35 57 8
2/1/08 39 54 7
12/9/07 40 53 6
11/1/07 36 58 6
9/30/07 38 57 5
7/21/07 46 51 2
6/1/07 44 49 6
4/15/07 54 44 2
10/8/06 48 50 3
5/15/06 39 58 4
11/2/05 41 54 5
6/5/05 42 56 3
6/6/99 51 42 7
3/14/99 51 42 7
7/8/97 45 49 6
4/5/95 36 60 4
10/31/94 39 53 8
10/23/94 36 59 5
9/11/94 41 53 6
b. The Republicans in Congress
Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/13/13 24 71 4
12/16/12 25 70 5
3/10/12 23 71 6
1/15/12 21 75 4
12/18/11 20 72 7
9/1/11 28 68 3
4/17/11 34 63 3
10/3/10 30 67 3
7/18/09 36 58 6
4/24/09 30 64 6
2/22/09 38 56 6
7/13/08 25 69 6
2/1/08 30 63 7
12/9/07 32 63 5
11/1/07 32 63 6
9/30/07 29 67 4
7/21/07 34 64 2
6/1/07 36 58 6
4/15/07 39 59 2
10/8/06 35 63 2
5/15/06 33 64 3
11/2/05 35 61 4
6/5/05 42 56 2
6/6/99 41 52 7
3/14/99 40 56 4
7/8/97 40 54 6
9/15/96 RV 46 48 6
6/30/96 38 56 6
4/5/95 45 50 5
10/31/94 33 59 7
10/23/94 31 64 5
9/11/94 35 59 6
8. Do you think Obama is doing too (much), too (little) or about the right amount to compromise with the Republican leaders in Congress on important issues?
About the No
Too much Too little right amount opinion
1/13/13 10 48 38 5
4/17/11 12 48 38 2
12/12/10 11 40 45 4
2/8/10 9 44 45 2
9. Do you think the Republican leaders in Congress are doing too (much), too (little) or about the right amount to compromise with Obama on important issues?
About the No
Too much Too little right amount opinion
1/13/13 10 67 17 5
12/12/10 8 54 32 7
2/8/10 8 58 30 4
10. For each issue I name, please tell me what kind of priority you think Obama and the Congress should give it - the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority than that?
1/13/13 - Summary Table*
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 96 68 28 3 0 1
b. Reducing federal
spending 88 49 39 10 * 2
c. Restructuring the
federal tax system 88 40 48 9 * 3
d. Slowing the rate of
growth in spending on
Medicare and Social
Security 74 29 45 22 * 3
e. Enacting stricter gun
control laws 59 32 27 38 2 1
f. Addressing global warming,
also known as climate change 53 18 35 44 1 2
g. Addressing immigration
issues 71 21 50 27 1 2
h. Addressing gun violence 68 28 40 30 1 2
*Full sample asked items a and b; half sample asked c-e; other half sample asked f-h.
Trend (2006 and previous, "Bush and the Congress"):
a. The economy
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 96 68 28 3 0 1
1/16/11 97 72 24 3 0 *
1/16/09 98 76 22 2 * *
1/26/06 96 52 45 3 * *
1/16/05 94 43 51 5 0 1
4/30/03 95 56 39 4 * 1
b. Reducing federal spending
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 88 49 39 10 * 2
1/26/06* 88 43 45 10 * 1
*”government spending”
c. Restructuring the federal tax system
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 88 40 48 9 * 3
Compare to: Taxes
1/16/11 87 31 56 12 * 1
1/16/09 81 23 58 17 1 1
1/26/06 82 27 54 17 * 1
1/16/05 80 19 60 19 * 1
4/30/03 82 30 51 17 * 2
d-e. No trend.
f. Addressing global warming, also known as climate change
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 53 18 35 44 1 2
1/16/11* 48 16 32 46 4 2
1/16/09 58 17 41 37 4 1
1/26/06 62 26 37 35 1 1
*1/16/11 and previous: “Global warming”
g. Addressing immigration issues
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 71 21 50 27 1 2
1/16/11* 69 24 45 29 1 1
1/16/09 69 21 48 29 1 1
1/26/06 69 27 42 29 2 1
1/16/05 68 20 49 28 1 2
*1/16/11 and previous: “Immigration issues”
h. No trend.
11. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Obama, or not: [ITEM]?
1/13/13 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. He understands the problems of people like you 55 43 2
b. He is a strong leader 61 37 2
Trend:
a. He understands the problems of people like you
Yes No No opinion
1/13/13 55 43 2
1/15/12 51 47 2
11/3/11 49 49 2
6/5/11 49 49 2
1/16/11 58 40 2
9/2/10 50 48 2
6/6/10 51 48 2
3/26/10 56 43 2
1/15/10 57 42 2
7/18/09 63 35 1
4/24/09 73 25 1
1/16/09 72 24 4
b. He is a strong leader
Yes No No opinion
1/13/13 61 37 2
1/15/12 51 48 1
11/3/11 48 51 1
6/5/11 55 44 1
6/6/10 57 43 1
3/26/10 65 33 2
1/15/10 63 35 1
7/18/09 71 27 2
4/24/09 77 22 2
1/16/09 72 18 10
12. If Congress does not raise its borrowing limit in February, the federal government will have to default on its loans and/or shut down some of its operations. Some people say the borrowing limit should be raised only if spending cuts also are put in place. Others say the two issues should be kept separate. Do you think raising the borrowing limit should be tied to spending cuts, or should these be kept as separate issues?
Should be tied Should be kept No
to spending cuts as separate issues opinion
1/13/13 36 58 6
13. (IF TIED TO SPENDING CUTS) If Congress and the Obama administration do not agree on spending cuts, should the borrowing limit be raised anyway or should the government default on its loans and/or shut down some of its operations?
Government should
Borrowing limit default and/or shut No
should be raised some operations opinion
1/13/13 29 63 9
12/13 NET:
----- Borrowing limit should be tied to spending cuts ----- Should be
Raise borrowing Let default on No opinion if kept as
limit if no loans and/or shut no agreement on separate No
NET agreement down some operations spending cuts issues op.
1/13/13 36 10 22 3 58 6
14. Who do you trust more to handle this issue - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
------- Obama ------- ---- Republicans ---- Both Neither No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 49 38 11 35 12 23 2 12 2
7/17/11* 48 34 14 39 11 28 1 10 3
*“reducing the federal budget deficit and increasing the government’s debt limit”
On another subject, thinking about gun ownership in this country,
15. Would you support or oppose a law requiring [ITEM]?
1/13/13 - Summary Table
----- Support ----- ------ Oppose ----- No
NET Strg. Smwt. NET Smwt. Strg. opin.
a. A nationwide ban on
semi-automatic handguns,
which automatically re-load
every time the trigger
is pulled 51 40 10 46 12 34 4
b. A nationwide ban on
high-capacity ammunition clips,
meaning those containing more
than 10 bullets 65 53 12 32 11 21 3
c. A nationwide ban on the sale
of assault weapons 58 50 9 39 12 26 3
d. Background checks on people
buying guns at gun shows 88 76 12 11 3 8 1
e. Placing an armed guard in
every school in the country 55 39 16 42 14 29 2
f. The creation of a new federal
database to track all gun
sales in this country 71 54 17 27 7 19 2
g. Background checks on anyone
buying gun ammunition 76 64 12 22 7 15 2
Trend:
a. A nationwide ban on semi-automatic handguns, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled
-------- Support -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 51 40 10 46 12 34 4
12/16/12 52 42 11 44 11 34 3
1/16/11 48 39 9 50 12 37 2
4/22/07 55 46 9 41 9 32 3
b. A nationwide ban on high-capacity ammunition clips, meaning those containing more than 10 bullets
-------- Support -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 65 53 12 32 11 21 3
12/16/12 59 47 12 38 9 29 2
1/16/11 57 46 11 39 10 29 3
c. A nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons
-------- Support -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 58 50 9 39 12 26 3
1/19/11* 63 NA NA 34 NA NA 3
4/26/09 54 NA NA 41 NA NA 5
4/22/07* 67 54 13 30 10 21 3
5/10/00 71 60 11 27 11 16 2
9/2/99 77 68 9 22 8 14 1
5/16/99 79 67 12 19 7 12 2
6/14/94 80 NA NA 18 NA NA 2
*2009 and 2011: CBS News/New York Times “ban on assault weapons”
*ABC News
d. Background checks on people buying guns at gun shows
-------- Support -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/13/13 88 76 12 11 3 8 1
5/10/00 92 82 10 6 3 3 2
9/2/99 90 80 10 9 7 3 1
5/16/99 89 77 12 11 7 4 *
e-g. No trend.
16. Which of these do you think would do more to reduce gun violence in schools - having (stricter gun control laws) or (armed guards in schools)?
Stricter gun Armed guards Both equally Neither No
control laws in schools (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/13/13 43 41 6 8 2
17. For each item I name, please tell me how much, if at all, you think it contributes to gun violence in this country – a great deal, somewhat, not so much or not at all.
1/13/13 – Summary Table
-- Contributes --- - Doesn’t contribute -
Great Not Not No
NET deal Smwt NET so much at all opinion
a. The availability of
semi-automatic handguns 69 41 29 29 13 16 1
b. The availability of assault
weapons 73 45 28 26 11 15 1
c. The availability of
high-capacity ammunition
clips 70 42 28 28 11 17 2
d. Inadequate background
checks before guns are sold 83 56 27 16 9 7 2
e. Violence in TV programs,
movies and video games 72 38 34 27 13 15 1
f. Inadequate treatment of
mentally ill people 85 56 30 12 7 5 2
g. Lack of individual
responsibility by gun
owners 83 53 30 16 7 8 1
18. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the leadership of the National Rifle Association? Do you feel that way strongly, or somewhat?
----- Favorable ------ ---- Unfavorable ----- No
NET Strg. Somewhat NET Somewhat Strg. opinion
1/13/13 36 20 17 44 16 28 20
5/16/99* 48 22 26 39 19 20 13
5/14/95* 44 20 24 46 26 19 11
*”impression of the National Rifle Association” and “very.”
19. Do you think the National Rifle Association has (too much) influence, (too little) influence, or the right amount of influence over gun control laws in this country?
Too much Too little Right amount No opinion
1/13/13 38 24 30 8
4/2/00 44 18 32 6
9/2/99 47 17 31 5
12/5/93* 45 15 27 13
*PSRA
20. Thinking about the elementary school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut last month – would you say this incident has made you more likely to support some forms of gun control, less likely to support some forms of gun control, or made no difference in your opinion on gun control? Is that much more/less likely or somewhat more/less likely?
---- More likely ---- ---- Less Likely ---- No No
NET Much Somewhat NET Somewhat Much difference opinion
1/13/13 52 35 17 5 2 3 42 1
21. How worried are you, if at all, that a mass shooting could happen in your community – is that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not so much or not at all?
--------- Worried --------- -------- Not worried --------- No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Not so much Not at all opinion
1/13/13 55 24 31 45 24 21 *
22. Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?
Yes No No opinion
1/13/13 44 56 1
1/16/11 44 55 *
4/24/09 41 58 *
6/15/08 42 58 *
4/22/07 45 55 0
10/8/06 42 58 *
10/20/02 41 59 *
5/10/00 45 55 *
4/2/00 43 56 *
9/2/99 44 56 *
5/16/99 46 53 *
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
Democrat Republican Independent Other (vol.) No opinion
1/13/13 33 24 37 5 1
12/16/12 31 24 38 4 4
11/4/12 33 25 34 4 5
11/4/12 RV 33 27 35 3 2
11/4/12 LV 35 29 32 3 1
10/13/12 33 22 37 4 4
9/29/12 31 25 36 5 3
9/9/12 33 23 37 4 3
8/25/12 31 22 39 6 3
7/8/12 33 24 36 4 3
5/20/12 32 22 38 7 2
4/18/12 34 23 34 5 3
3/10/12 31 27 36 3 3
2/12/12 34 23 37 5 1
1/15/12 32 25 36 5 2
***END***
