More than three-fourths of Utah voters say the state can “enact some” new gun regulations while still maintaining America’s right to bear arms, a new UtahPolicy.com/Y2 Analytics poll finds.
In all other demographic groups — but one — the voters say new gun control can come without violating the U.S Constitution’s 2nd Amendment.
Only those who told Y2 they are “strong conservatives” disagree — among that group, 57 percent said enacting new gun controls would violate the 2nd Amendment’s right to bear arms.
As UtahPolicy.com reported MondayUtahPolicy.com reported Monday, Utah’s Senate president and House speaker say it is likely various gun control bills will be introduced in the 2020 Legislature, which starts the end of January, and debated.
The extensive polling by the online political newsletter and Y2 show Utahns in general, and in many cases even Republicans, agree on a number of steps that could be taken in an effort to stop or hinder mass shootings/killings, as were seen this summer in the El Paso, Texas, Walmart.
The latest poll shows:
— 79 percent of Utah voters say new gun control measures could be taken and not violate the 2nd Amendment. Only 21 percent say no new gun control at all, or the right to bear arms would be violated.
Once again Utah women are more in favor of gun control than are men — 88 percent of women say new gun laws could be legally enacted, while 70 percent of men agree.
— “Strong” Republicans say new gun laws would be OK, 59 percent to 41 percent.
— Political independents say new gun laws could be legally imposed, 75-25 percent.
— “Strong” Democrats have no doubts, 98 percent say new gun control laws could be passed and not violate the 2nd Amendment.
Moderate conservatives, middle-of-the-road folks, and moderate liberals and strong liberals, by large majorities, all say new gun laws could be legally passed.
Finally, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have banned all guns from their local meeting houses and other church properties.
And a large part of Mormons, 77 percent, say new gun control laws could be passed without impacting the 2nd Amendment.
So, if the GOP-controlled and Republican Gov. Gary Herbert do pass some gun control measures early next year, they would be doing what their own Republican voters want — the poll shows — as well as what other Utah voters desire on this issue.
