Poll: RIers split on banning semi-automatic rifles

October 15, 2018 3:27 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Gun control is a polarizing issue in Rhode Island.

An ABC6, the Public’s Radio and the Providence Journal election survey, conducted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH), shows 55% of voters surveyed say they would support the General Assembly passing a bill outlawing the sale of new semi-automatic rifles in the state, while 40% would not support it.

“Rhode Island is largely divided on this,” explained UNH Political Analyst Andrew Smith, who was behind the poll. “I wouldn’t think that this is likely to go through anytime soon.”

Further breaking down the poll data, 21% of registered republicans would strongly support outlawing the sales of semi-automatic rifles, while 22% of registered democrats would strongly oppose a ban.

“It’s a very divisive issue and I think the legislature [has] a lot of other things to worry about without trying to antagonize that fairly large block of voters who oppose it,” explained Smith.

503 likely voters were surveyed in the poll, with a margin of error of +/- 4%.