Despite advancing five new gun control bills in the Senate on Friday, Democrats may be, ahem, shooting themselves in the feet with voters, according to new polling data. Two-thirds of Coloradans (65%) say these new gun control laws won’t reduce crime or make the state any safer, and nearly half (48%) of voters say they would be less likely to vote for their State Senator if he or she supports gun control bills.
Public Opinion Strategies pollster Rob Autry warned Democrats of some of the perils of pursuing this radical legislation in a memo outlining the poll results:
“Democratic legislators also have to be mindful that even members of their own partisan coalition are conflicted about this proposed legislation. While only 8% of Democrats oppose all of the gun control measures we tested, 70% of Democratic voters oppose one or some combination of the proposals (either the comprehensive package, the background checks, the liability claim, or the high-capacity magazine ban).”
Translation: the gun package is a non-starter even with 70% of Democrats. But, it’s not just Democrat voters that should worry the Democrat-controlled Colorado State House and Senate, according to Autry. The Independents also view the proposed gun control legislation warily. Autry explained:
“For the most part, the highly politically prized Independent voting bloc also opposes the key gun control measures we tested in this survey. Fully 69% oppose passing the comprehensive legislation (33% oppose outright, 36% think it goes too far), 84% oppose holding manufacturers and sellers liable, and 55% oppose the high-capacity magazine ban when presented with both sides. …On the whole, Independents are more inclined to agree with Republicans (and gun owners), than with Democrats (and anti-NRA allies).”
Perhaps veteran Senator Greg Brophy (R-Wray) said it best when he told The Weekly Standard that “these poll numbers prove that Governor Hickenlooper and the Democrats are listening to Bloomberg and Biden instead of Coloradans.”
If Senate Democrats had listened to Coloradans, we wouldn’t even be writing this post, according to Autry’s data:
“Colorado voters want to see the Governor and State Legislature focus on the economy and jobs, first and foremost. When asked to identify the top legislative priorities for the current year, economic issues top the list (52%), followed by improving public education (40%), and balancing the state budget (27%). Passing gun control legislation ranks sixth out of the nine issues tested – with only 14% saying the issue is something they want the Governor and legislature to focus on this year,” writes the pollster.
Don’t worry. Next up for the Democrat-controlled legislature are job-killing regulations for oil and gas. Sounds like the Democrats will continue to ignore Coloradans and pursue their own far-left, East Coast-inspired agenda.
Beware of Democratic voter fraud again.
https://www.change.org/petitions/colorado-residents-who-support-our-rights-recall-john-hickenlooper
Colorado Democratic lawmakers are being led to their demise and away from the voters by the pied pipers of Michael Bloomberg and others who wish to disarm Americans with incremental infringements on the Second Amendment. Given Rep. Rhonda Fields' response to not knowing the full consequences of HB1224, it may be that she did not even write the bill, perhaps it was written by one of Bloomberg's legislative operatives? They think they can curry favor with the rich elite on the East and West coasts to fund their campaigns, but the voters are watching their lawmakers.
Colorado Republicans – do NOT blow it in 2014! Please do not put up yet more Coors brothers. Instead choose men and women of common sense who can articulate the case for Self government and justice for all. Enough ignorant firebrands, rich hypocrites or otherwise flawed candidates.
Dave, I will agree I hope Sen John Morse's recall goes through, we need these people OUT!!!
I've never supported a recall before, but this circumstance could well be different. I can think of two legislators that could well be recalled and removed…Sen. Angela Giron and Representative Mclachlan. More might well be vulnerable.
Still out of touch with the main stream and influenced by propaganda, I see.
The democrats will go too far. They always do.
Progressive overreach will be the undoing of these Californicators.
"Remember in November!"
Even parts of the State that traditionally vote for Democrat candidates, like Pueblo, have pulled back from the extreme anti-self-defense, anti-gun, legislation being pushed by their party leaders. There are going to be a lot of new elected representatives at the Capitol if they pass these ill advised bills for NYC Mayor Bloomberg over the wishes and beliefs of their constituents.
Sheriff Terry Maketa of El Paso County, CO is going to press for an investigation against the Democrat leadership for extortion and influencing public, elected officials. The Dems are angry at the very large group of state sheriffs who testified against the anti-gun legislation. Sheriff Maketa made his serious statements on the radio station KVOR, the Jeff Crank show, in Colorado Springs between 9:30 – 10:00 AM. He will file charges with the Colorado State Attorney General's office. Sheriff Maketa got an email from the Dem leadership to back off and change their collective positions on gun control or the Democrat legislature would hold up or stop legislation that effects sheriff's pay throughout Colorado. Sheriff Maketa went on to say that this threat to pay does not effect him personally, but does other sheriffs in the state,.
LISTEN FOR YOURSELF! You can download the audio file here (mp3 format).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f8m9do868v539cw/KVOR-8-2013-03-09_09-30-01-833%20Maketa.mp3