Sustained Outrage

West Virginians want better gun safety laws

September 26, 2013 by Ken Ward Jr.
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Navy Yard Shooting Funerals

The casket for Navy Yard shooting victim John R. Johnson arrives at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, Md., Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, for Johnson’s funeral service.  (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

In the wake of the slaughter last week at the Washington Navy Yard, President Obama has called for a “transformation” in the nation’s gun laws.  But the issue still seems to be one that political leaders don’t want to move on. Even West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has indicated he’s got new plans to resume his push to try to mildly improve the background check system for firearms purchases.

But there is more evidence out this week that Manchin’s constituents would like to see him pursue his legislation.  In a survey of West Virginians released yesterday, Public Policy Polling reports:

67% support requiring background checks for all gun sales, including 79% of women. A third of respondents say they were more likely to vote for Manchin because he supported background checks, while 29% said this made them less likely to support him.