Mixed news on gun control from Gallup survey

David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers • Published January 14, 2013

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A new Gallup poll released Monday has mixed news on gun control.

Thirty-eight percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the nation's gun laws and want them strengthened--a big jump from the 25 percent reading of a year ago, and the highest in a dozen years.

But....43 percent are either satisfied with current gun laws or think they should be loosened.

"Other recent Gallup polling shows Americans are not prepared to relinquish their Second Amendment rights, as majorities reject banning the possession of handguns by civilians, or even outlawing the manufacture or possession of certain semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles," Gallup said.

But it added, "They are clearly more open to further restricting the sale of guns, including with more background checks and bans on high-capacity magazines. Thus, Biden's task force enjoys a window of opportunity, albeit with apparent limits, to address Americans' concerns about gun violence."

The poll was conducted Jan. 7-10.

To read more:http://www.gallup.com/poll/159824/americans-dissatisfaction-gun-laws-spikes.aspx

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