Quinnipiac Poll: Connecticut Voters Want Handguns Registered

Most Connecticut voters believe all handguns should be registered, according to a Quinnipiac University poll taken this week.

The poll of 1,009 registered voters found that a full 72 percent of respondents overall back registration of all handguns, including annual registration. Respondents who identified themselves as gun owners, however, were divided on the registration issue, with 50 percent opposed and 48 percent in favor of it.

The survey also found that an overwhelming 93 percent were in favor of universal background checks. Eight-nine percent of respondents who live in households with guns also said they favor the checks.

“Universal background checks tops the list with 93 percent support, higher than we’ve ever seen for any issue in 20 years of Connecticut surveys,” Schwartz said.

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The registration and background check issues were just two ways voters indicated their support for tougher gun-control measures following the Newtown school shootings in December that left 20 children and six adults dead, said Quinnipiac poll director Douglas Schwartz.

In addition, the survey found that 68 percent of respondents back a statewide ban on the sale of assault weapons and a similar 68 percent said they favor a ban on ammunition magazine clips with more than 10 rounds.

Among the other findings, 86 percent of respondents said they would like to see a gun offender registry established to identify people convicted of gun crimes; 76 percent said they favor tougher gun-storage requirements; by a margin of 50 percent to 43 percent, poll participants said they favor liability insurance for gun owners; and by a margin of 85 percent to 14 percent, respondents said permits should be required to purchase and carry guns of any kind.

The survey also revealed that the Newtown shootings have influenced how people in the state feel about gun control, with 54 percent saying the tragedy made them more likely to support tougher laws and 45 percent saying it had no influence on their views.

Finally, the poll showed that Connecticut voters support by a 54 percent to 41 percent margin the idea of placing more police officers in public schools.