Gonzales Survey Results On Assault Weapons Ban
Gonzales/Arscott
Research & Communications, Inc.
Maryland Poll - 2004
Methodology
Patrick E. Gonzales graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1981 with a degree in political science. He is the former president of Mason-Dixon Campaign Polling and Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications, Inc.
Over the past two decades, Mr. Gonzales has polled and analyzed hundreds of elections in Maryland. Additionally, he and his associates have conducted numerous market research projects and crafted message development programs for businesses and organizations throughout the state.
This survey was conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies from February 3rd through February 8th, 2004. A total of 818 registered voters in Maryland who vote regularly were interviewed by telephone. A cross-section of interviews were conducted in each jurisdiction within the state to reflect general election voting patterns.
The margin for error, according to customary statistical standards, is no more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. There is a 95 percent probability that the “true” figures would fall within this range if the entire survey universe were sampled. The margin for error is higher for any demographic subgroup, such as gender or party affiliation.
Maryland Statewide Poll Sample Demographics
Gender |
Race |
Region |
Male 401 (49%) |
White 629 (77%) |
Eastern Shore 105 (13%) |
Female 417 (51%) |
Black 172 (21%) |
Baltimore City 83 (10%) |
. |
Other/Ref 17 |
Baltimore Suburbs 278 (34%) |
. |
. |
Washington Suburbs 259 (32%) |
. |
. |
Western Maryland 93 (11%) |
party registration |
||
Democrat 457 (56%) |
Republican
261 (32%) |
Independent 100 (12%) |
Regional Groupings |
|
| Eastern Shore | includes voters in these counties: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester. |
| Baltimore City | includes voters in the City of Baltimore. |
| Baltimore Suburbs | includes voters in these counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, and Howard. |
| Washington Suburbs | includes voters in these counties: Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s. |
| Western Maryland | includes voters in these counties: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington. |
Summary
Survey respondents were read the following question: “As you may know, a federal law banning military-style semiautomatic assault weapons is due to expire this September. Would you favor or oppose Maryland legislators passing a law this session banning military-style semiautomatic assault weapons in Maryland?” Statewide, 74% say that they favor legislators passing a law banning assault weapons in Maryland, 21% oppose it, and 5% offered no opinion. Seventy-seven percent of Democrats favor legislation banning assault weapons, 66% of Republicans are in favor, along with 79% of independents.
By region, the results look like this:
When asked if they favor
or oppose “strengthening
the legislation to ban copycat assault weapons that are built by gun manufacturers
to evade the assault weapons ban,” 77% support banning copycat assault
weapons, while only 19% oppose a ban on such weapons.
A majority of voters in
every demographic sub-group favor strengthening legislation to ban copycat
assault weapons.
QUESTION: As you may know, a federal
law banning military-style semiautomatic assault weapons is due to
expire this September. Would you favor or oppose
Maryland legislators passing a law this session banning military-style
semiautomatic assault weapons in Maryland?
response |
statewide |
| Favor | 74% |
| Oppose | 21% |
| No Answer | 5% |
favor |
oppose |
no answer |
||
party |
Democrat |
77% |
17% |
6% |
Republican |
66% |
30% |
4% |
|
Iindependent |
79% |
18% |
3% |
|
race |
White |
74% |
21% |
4% |
| African-american | 71% |
20% |
9% |
|
gender |
Male |
70% |
26% |
4% |
| Female | 78% |
16% |
6% |
|
region |
Eastern shore |
73% |
24% |
3% |
Baltimore city |
76% |
22% |
2% |
|
Baltimore suburbs |
69% |
27% |
4% |
|
Washington suburbs |
81% |
13% |
6% |
|
Western Maryland |
67% |
24% |
9% |
|
QUESTION: Would you favor or oppose strengthening the legislation to ban copycat assault weapons that are built by gun manufacturers to evade the assault weapons ban?
| response | statewide |
| Favor | 77% |
| Oppose | 19% |
| No Answer | 4% |
favor |
oppose |
no answer |
||
party |
Democrat |
81% |
16% |
3% |
Republican |
68% |
27% |
5% |
|
Iindependent |
82% |
12% |
6% |
|
race |
White |
76% |
20% |
4% |
| African-american | 80% |
15% |
5% |
|
gender |
Male |
75% |
22% |
3% |
| Female | 79% |
16% |
5% |
|
region |
Eastern shore |
75% |
22% |
3% |
Baltimore city |
81% |
16% |
3% |
|
Baltimore suburbs |
74% |
20% |
6% |
|
Washington suburbs |
82% |
14% |
4% |
|
Western Maryland |
71% |
27% |
2% |
|
To view the complete survey, please click here:
http://www.garesearch.com/Surveys/MD_media_February_2004.htm