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A large majority of Wisconsin voters support requiring background checks for gun purchases – even those done through private channels.
The results of the latest Marquette University Law School Poll found 85 percent of registered voters favor requiring background checks for guns purchased at shows or through private sales, with just 12 percent opposing the requirement. Poll director Charles Franklin noted that the issue continued to have strong support in households that own guns, with 84 percent of gun owners still backing the proposal.
Expanded background checks were included in an executive order from President Barack Obama earlier this month, which are part of efforts he’s undertaken to prevent criminals from obtaining guns through loopholes in existing laws.
The poll also looked at a proposed bill in the Wisconsin Legislature to allow concealed carry permit holders to have their weapons on public school grounds, while giving districts the authority to allow concealed carry inside school buildings. It found strong opposition to the plan, with 65 percent opposing the extension of the existing concealed carry law and just 31 percent supporting the idea.
Franklin said even pro-concealed carry households were strongly against the idea, with 57 percent saying they would no support allowing guns on school property.