The National Rifle Association suffered a backlash in many circles following its combative press conference last week, but a poll released Thursday indicated that the powerful pro-gun lobby has retained ample support from much of the American public.
According to Gallup, 54 percent of respondents have a favorable view of the NRA, compared with 38 percent who have an unfavorable view. The results are consistent with the public’s attitudes toward the group since the end of the 20th century. At least 50 percent of Americans have had a favorable opinion of the NRA in Gallup’s polling since 1999, peaking at 60 percent in 2005. A majority of the public hasn’t had an unfavorable view of the organization since 1995. Gallup first measured the NRA’s popularity in 1993.
As expected, there is a sharp partisan split when it comes to the NRA: 83 of Republicans in Thursday’s poll said they have a favorable opinion, while 58 percent of Democrats have an unfavorable opinion.
