Gallup: Majority of Americans approve of the NRA

posted at 9:31 am on December 28, 2012 by Erika Johnsen

With all of the vocal and vociferous hatred directed at the National Rifle Association, in general and especially in the wake of the Newtown massacre, it would be easy to think that the NRA is a highly unpopular organization whose deplorable degree of ill-begotten political clout only comes from some nefarious combination of money and corruption. The denunciations of the gun-rights advocate range from fervently partisan to downright evil, and the condemnations might make it seem that their many ostensibly under-handed dealings are at cross-purposes with most Americans’ opinions.

The actual reason that the NRA has so much political clout, however, is merely because it has so much popular support. Progressives are quick to point out as fact that the NRA tirelessly works against both the American majority and widespread common sense, but the NRA has over four million active members and most Americans hold a favorable opinion of the organization, according to Gallup:

Fifty-four percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the National Rifle Association, while 38% have an unfavorable opinion. The public’s ratings of the NRA have fluctuated since first measured by Gallup in 1993 — from a low of 42% favorable in 1995 to a high of 60% in 2005.

What is your overall opinion of the National Rifle Association, also known as the NRA?

… Favorable opinions of the NRA are much higher than average among the 45% of Americans who report having a gun in the household — although one in four view the NRA unfavorably. At the same time, four in 10 of those without a gun in the household have a favorable opinion of the NRA.

As Byron York points out, it’s worth considering that:

The NRA didn’t come up with the Second Amendment — they simply harnessed Americans’ widespread and deep-seated support for the Constitutional guarantee of the means for self-defense, in all its forms.


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Comment pages: 1 2

Nothing like witnessing the end of statist control, and the statists not being fully aware of it.

The schemers and controllers want to monopolize their force, assault weapons and death. Only THEY can steal. Only THEY can kill.

No, no more. Done enough damage.

fatlibertarianinokc on May 7, 2013 at 6:20 PM

time to go after paper politicians.

john1schn on May 7, 2013 at 6:22 PM

PITCHFORK CONTROL next?

Tar and feathers to be banned?

All you can eat buffets are killing Americans, over eaters should pay extra.

32 ounce $1.00 drinks at McDonalds causes Parkinson’s or something, special tax needed.

Seniors using too much healthcare in final years. Make Hospice Care free and provide a $10,000 tax credit to those that sign up at age 60.

And yet we dummies keep electing this!!!!!

PappyD61 on May 7, 2013 at 6:40 PM

Suck it, Lizardface.

fossten on May 7, 2013 at 9:44 PM

All those who were surprised by this move?

*crickets*

Valid security concerns aside, the idea of anyone literally being able to print unregistered weapons (possibly their ammo blanks too in the future) is absolutely terrifying to liberals.

MelonCollie on May 7, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Two things to think about before worrying about printed guns:

1. There’s no need to print guns unless Chuck and friends make it illegal to otherwise acquire them.

2. If having guns does become illegal the cartels which can smuggle weed across the border by the ton will bring in the guns as soon as there is a market.

Nomas on May 7, 2013 at 11:05 PM

The issue is not whether something should be done but whether something can be done.

The genius of this technology is that it is unregulatable.

You can pass laws but they won’t accomplish anything.

Furthermore, I can put the aforementioned six ounce slug of iron in the handle to make it legal.

Worse though you see how the gun comes apart into bits and pieces.

Lets say I take it apart. Will you spot the pieces?

What if every piece has a duel use. Every piece screws into something else. What if every little bit screws into my luggage.

The ultimate movie that had a plastic gun was “in the line of fire”… it was a neat little thing. They hid the bullet in a lucky rabbit’s foot. Everything else just broke down into little plastic bits that were here or there.

Can’t stop it. You protect yourself in that environment by knowing who is coming through the door… not by search them.

Karmashock on May 8, 2013 at 7:28 AM

Schumer can go bugger himself.

claudius on May 8, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Gotta love Schumer’s descriptive language, “Our Republicans”.

That’ll leave a mark.

MTF on May 21, 2013 at 2:46 PM

Dang it

Dear leader to take credit

cmsinaz on May 21, 2013 at 2:50 PM

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If amnesty passes both houses, I will never vote republican again.

I know that sounds like the typical empty threat. But in this case, I honestly do not see what the point would be of any longer pretending the GOP cares about limited gov’t.

My one vote and my limited finanical contributions won’t hurt the GOP. but hopefully, others will join in.

I would rather the GOP completely die as a party and allow us a chance to build something new while the DNC runs rampant that continue pretending that the GOP actually opposes DNC policies. The alternative, to continue the pretense, simply means allowing the DNC to pass its entire agenda a little more slowly than otherwise without any real chance of stopping it. At least if the GOP is killed off, a new party may actually come about that supports the idea of limited gov’t.

I don’t understand how Lindsay Graham is not beaten in a primary. Is there really nobody that could beat him by running to his right? I would also love to see McCain gone. Rubio has blown whatever conservative cred he had with this nonsense.

Monkeytoe on May 21, 2013 at 2:52 PM

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