The right to keep and bear arms is a civil and human right protected by the United States Constitution. In the same sense that slavery was wrong—no matter how many Americans supported it at the time—civilian disarmament is wrong no matter how many school children were slaughtered by a Bushmaster-wielding madman. There I’ve said it. Deal with it. As I know you, our Armed Intelligentsia have done and will continue to do. But this message hasn’t reached residents of the [now ironically named] Constitution State. A Quinnipiac University poll reveals that CT voters support civilian disarmament by a HUGE margin. Specifically . . .
By margins of 2-1 or more, Connecticut voters support most gun-control measures, with support for universal background checks at 93 – 6 percent, including 89 – 9 percent among voters in households where there are guns, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Voters support stricter statewide gun-control laws 66 – 30 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Support for specific measures includes:
68 – 28 percent back an expansion of the statewide ban on the sale of assault weapons. Gun owners are opposed 49 – 44 percent;
68 – 28 percent back a ban on the sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. Gun owners are divided 49 – 48 percent;
72 – 27 percent back registration of all handguns, with annual renewal. Gun owners are divided with 48 percent in favor and 50 percent opposed;
63 – 31 percent, including 50 – 46 percent among gun owners, favor limiting handgun purchases to one per month;
85 – 14 percent, including 71 – 28 percent among gun owners, back a permit requirement to purchase and carry all guns;
86 – 11 percent, including 85 – 12 percent among gun owners, favor a gun offender registry for those convicted of gun crimes;
76 – 19 percent, including 65 – 32 percent among gun owners, back stricter gun storage requirements;
50 – 43 percent back mandatory liability insurance for gun owners, who oppose this measure 71 – 26 percent.
Nick has pointed out that gun owners are more politically active than non-gun owning voters. No doubt by the reverse margin (2 – 1) or more. We’ll see plenty of turnout at today’s pro-gun rally in Illinois (report to follow). New York’s gun owners are certainly up in arms, if you know what I mean. (If you don’t, report to follow on that, too.)
But it’s clear that Connecticut legislators are failing to factor the “enthusiasm gap” into their political calculus. Not to put too fine a point on it, Connecticut gun rights are going down.
And that means the ballistic bifurcation of America continues apace. As Dan points out, we’re looking at civil disobedience on a massive scale, not seen since prohibition (if you discount dope smoking). I reckon there will be bloodshed, and not the kind that CT pols claim they’re trying to prevent . . .