Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What Kind Of People Does NORC 'Survey'?

The VPC likes to cite the GSS/NORC to prove gun ownership is decreasing while ignoring the huge disparity between that and Gallup results.

Taking a look at some of the datasets and questions, I found this one from 2004:
990. Suppose research proves that more legal restrictions on handguns would increase violent crime. Which of these two reactions would be closer to your position:
1. WOULD CHANGE MIND AND OPPOSE MORE RESTRICTIONS
2. WOULD STILL SUPPORT MORE RESTRICTIONS
62.9% said they would still support MORE restrictions. Think about that. Even if it is proven conclusively that gun control INCREASES violent crime, most people NORC surveyed would still push for more restrictions.

So is NORC sending their people to interview mental patients, is the public honestly that stupid or does the GSS not represent reality?

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2 comments:

George said...

If firearm ownership is declining, then why the urgency, VPC? You are already winning.

Unless you know that the survey is bogus.

Sigivald said...

Alternative 3: They prefer more restrictions on handguns for reasons unrelated to crime, and which they view as more important than an unspecified increase in violent crime.

One need not be insane to hold that position (though it makes it a lot easier, I suppose) - one just has to have a metric that isn't "violent crime".