CitizenBBN
04-13-2013, 05:46 PM
I figured LEOs in general would be pro gun rights, but not as overwhelming as this study showed. Great study b/c it was done by PoliceOne.com, which has something like 400,000 LEO members and this was only to them, with 15,000 responses from LE entities of all sizes. Some of the highlights:
86 percent feel the currently proposed White House legislation would have no effect or a negative effect on improving officer safety, 25% think it will make police LESS safe versus 11.5% who think will help at all.
Similarly, 92 percent feel that banning semi-automatic firearms, or “assault weapons,” would have no effect or a negative effect on reducing violent crime. 20% of that 92% thinks it will make for MORE violent crime, not less.
Demonstrating the opinion that the best way to combat gun crime is through harsher punishment, 91 percent said the use of a firearm while perpetrating a crime should lead to a stiff, mandatory sentence with no plea bargains. Likewise, 59 percent believe increasing punishment severity for unlicensed dealers would reduce crime
Respondents were more split on background checks, with 31 percent agreeing that mental health background checks in all gun sales would help reduce mass shootings, while 45 percent disagreed
71 percent support law enforcement leaders who have publicly refused to enforce more restrictive gun laws within their jurisdictions
70% are against any kind of gun tracking or registry
82 percent believe gun buyback or turn-in programs are ineffective in reducing the level of gun violence
91 percent support the concealed carry of firearms by civilians who have not been convicted of a felony and/or have not been deemed psychologically incapable.
Likewise, 80 percent feel that legally-armed citizens would likely have reduced the number of casualties in recent mass shooting incidents. 75% think teachers and administrators should be able to carry. 28% chose "more permissive carry laws" as the best way to prevent mass public shootings, one of 8 choices where the next most chosen was 11%. Needless to say a ban on assault weapons was less than 1%.
I was particularly surprised by the overwhelming support of concealed carry. These are people who have the most to fear from someone in a gun who clearly see that those with permits are ON THEIR SIDE. They get that teachers or other civilians who carry are an asset to law enforcement and other innocent civilians, and only a detriment to those intent on doing harm.
This is just me, but maybe we ought to listen closely to the opinions of the people who have the most real world experience with criminals and gun violence. You know, rather than ignore them and listen to people who have never held real jobs, have lived in white bread suburbs their whole lives and wouldn't know which end of a rifle to hold.
Some links for reference if you want to see the details:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130408006439/en/PoliceOne.com-Releases-Survey-15000-Law-Enforcement-Professionals
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/6188462-policeones-2013-gun-policy-law-enforcement-survey-results-executive-summary/
86 percent feel the currently proposed White House legislation would have no effect or a negative effect on improving officer safety, 25% think it will make police LESS safe versus 11.5% who think will help at all.
Similarly, 92 percent feel that banning semi-automatic firearms, or “assault weapons,” would have no effect or a negative effect on reducing violent crime. 20% of that 92% thinks it will make for MORE violent crime, not less.
Demonstrating the opinion that the best way to combat gun crime is through harsher punishment, 91 percent said the use of a firearm while perpetrating a crime should lead to a stiff, mandatory sentence with no plea bargains. Likewise, 59 percent believe increasing punishment severity for unlicensed dealers would reduce crime
Respondents were more split on background checks, with 31 percent agreeing that mental health background checks in all gun sales would help reduce mass shootings, while 45 percent disagreed
71 percent support law enforcement leaders who have publicly refused to enforce more restrictive gun laws within their jurisdictions
70% are against any kind of gun tracking or registry
82 percent believe gun buyback or turn-in programs are ineffective in reducing the level of gun violence
91 percent support the concealed carry of firearms by civilians who have not been convicted of a felony and/or have not been deemed psychologically incapable.
Likewise, 80 percent feel that legally-armed citizens would likely have reduced the number of casualties in recent mass shooting incidents. 75% think teachers and administrators should be able to carry. 28% chose "more permissive carry laws" as the best way to prevent mass public shootings, one of 8 choices where the next most chosen was 11%. Needless to say a ban on assault weapons was less than 1%.
I was particularly surprised by the overwhelming support of concealed carry. These are people who have the most to fear from someone in a gun who clearly see that those with permits are ON THEIR SIDE. They get that teachers or other civilians who carry are an asset to law enforcement and other innocent civilians, and only a detriment to those intent on doing harm.
This is just me, but maybe we ought to listen closely to the opinions of the people who have the most real world experience with criminals and gun violence. You know, rather than ignore them and listen to people who have never held real jobs, have lived in white bread suburbs their whole lives and wouldn't know which end of a rifle to hold.
Some links for reference if you want to see the details:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130408006439/en/PoliceOne.com-Releases-Survey-15000-Law-Enforcement-Professionals
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/6188462-policeones-2013-gun-policy-law-enforcement-survey-results-executive-summary/