A majority of Americans are extremist gun-grabbers who hate freedom.

[Direckshun]

So says WaPo/ABC poll:

Overall, 53 percent of the public carries a favorable impression of Obama’s proposals while 41 percent are opposed.

While the poll represents a first reaction to the president’s plan, views on it are surprisingly hardened already. Almost seven in 10 give the plan “strongly” favorable (38 percent) or strongly unfavorable ratings (31 percent).

And, partisans have closed ranks. Fully 76 percent of Democrats rate Obama’s proposals favorably, while nearly as many Republicans say the opposite (72 percent). Independents tilt positively toward the newly announced restrictions: 51 percent favorable and 44 percent unfavorable.

By contrast, a separate Post-ABC poll conducted before Obama’s announcement found Republicans overwhelmingly supporting — or no worse than evenly divided — on four central Obama proposals. Nearly nine in 10 Republicans in that survey supported requiring background checks at gun shows, 65 percent supported adding armed guards in schools and 59 percent supported a ban on high-capacity clips. Republicans’ least-liked current proposal — banning assault weapons — was opposed by a modest 51 to 45 percent margin.

One potential reason for Republicans’ rejection of the new proposals is principle. Obama unveiled a broad slate of new gun restrictions, and the vast majority of Republicans oppose stricter gun control laws (in general), according to a December Post-ABC poll. While polls found Republicans are open to specific gun control measures, they may be less open to a comprehensive approach.

Another possibility? It’s Obama.

Republicans’ sharp negative reaction to Obama’s gun control proposals symbolizes a paradox of presidential leadership in a hyper-partisan era.

And so says a particularly striking Gallup poll:

Given the chance to vote 'for' or 'against' each of nine key proposals included in President Obama's plan to reduce gun violence, Americans back all nine.

This is what you guys were saying all through the healthcare debate, right? That Obama was trying to impose something that Americans didn't want?

Well he is riding a wave of public opinion, now, if he wasn't already on this subject.

It's become a winner.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=268075

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=209

I also support more research on gun violence so we can more clearly discern the effect gun prevalence has on gun violence.

You said you could UNEQUIVOQUALLY show causastion. You, and they, show correlation not causation.

FAIL

[Direckshun]

That's fair, it's not unequivocal.

Unequivocable is a damn near impossible standard, however -- I'm talking about beyond reasonable doubt, which is the standard I would generally argue should guide policy.

For the record, one of things the Obama executive orders accomplished is to open up the CDC for more gun violence research. There's been a dearth of it over the years due to political pressure suppressing it.

[johnny961]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

You gotta do what's politically feasible. This is their calculation.

I'd throw in Mini-14's if I could. I agree the differences in handles and other cosmetics are silly.

Everything listed on the new ban that attempts to define a so called "assault weapon" is pretty much cosmetic features.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by johnny961

Everything listed on the new ban that attempts to define a so called "assault weapon" is pretty much cosmetic features.

A lot of gun control advocates believe that more should be done.

[johnny961]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

A lot of gun control advocates believe that more should be done.

Likewise I know of ALOT of pro gun people who beleive what we have is more than enough gun laws.

[rockymtnchief]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

A lot of gun control advocates believe that more should be done.

A lot of gun control advocates know nothing about guns or the people who own them.