These charts reflects the results of the newest NBC News / Wall Street Journal Poll -- done between August 10th and 14th of a national sample of 1,000 adults, with a margin of error of 3.1 points.
Right after the mass shooting by a white supremacist in El Paso, Donald Trump made some promises to get some restrictions on gun sales -- specifically to get a strict background check law passed. Now, only days later, he seems to be backing off that promise.
On Sunday, he told reporters that we already have some background checks, and the real cause of mass shootings is mental illness. We shouldn't be surprised that he is already backing down (after getting a call from the NRA). he did the same thing after the Parkland school shooting, and backed down after talking with the NRA.
The truth is that Trump doesn't really have a position on background checks (or any other gun restrictions). He just doesn't want to lose the money and support of the NRA, or the support of voters in the next election -- and he's not quite sure how to please everyone.
Well, he's not going to please everyone. He must choose -- either do what the NRA wants, or do what the American public wants. And the public has made it clear what they want in poll after poll. In this latest poll, 89% of the public wants a background check done on ALL gun sales and transfers, 76% want red flag laws to take guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and 62% want assault-style rifles banned.
Those are some substantial numbers. Trump, and his Republican cohorts, may think these feelings will go away by the next general election. I don't think they will. If they refuse to pass some sensible and constitutional gun laws, they will be punished at the polls in 2020.
