Drugs, Guns, and the Fiscal Cliff: Emily Ekins on New Reason-Rupe Poll

A majority of Americans across the political spectrum do not believe the federal government should arrest people who use, grow, or sell marijuana in states that have legalized it. A majority thinks adults should be allowed to own assault weapons. Two-thirds oppose raising the debt ceiling.

Those are just some of the findings of the latest Reason-Rupe Poll, which surveyed Americans on a wide variety of issues. Full results of the poll are online here: http://reason.com/poll/2013/01/30/jan...

Reason Foundation Polling Director Emily Ekins recently sat down with Reason TV to highlight a few of the poll's discoveries.

Approximately 2 minutes long.

Produced by Meredith Bragg.

Visit http://reason.com/reasontv/2013/02/08... for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason TV's YouTube page to receive automatic notification when new material goes live.

• Category

  News & Politics

[Liberty4Ever]

Please stop following the anti-gun agenda. "Assault weapon" and "assault rifle" are terms designed to elicit strongly negative reactions. It's simply not possible to collect accurate information in a poll when the questions are loaded with such prejudicial terms.

Hammers are used to kill more people than firearms in the United States. Wanna do a poll about banning assault hammers? BTW - There is no amendment in our Bill of Rights specifically recognizing the unalienable right to hammers.

[TWSceptic]

Time for the president to start watching ReasonTV.

[Kevo F]

Google "Obama Quote on Raising Debt Limit (2006)". What he says in that quote is exactly right. Your entire post is 99.9% wrong (other than 2nd term attitude), and I don't even care enough anymore to argue with people like you. Your head is so far up Obama's ass it would be impossible (and pointless) to tell you the truth, and actually have you believe and understand it. So read that quote, pull your head out, and look around at what actually happens, not what Obama tells you to believe.

[MortimerTheClueless]

What do you mean by "you need to stop listening to Obama"? Excuse me, but Obama is one of the best presidents in the last 100 years. He prevented the next Great Depression. He is much more assertive in his 2nd term, too, so he should be able to put the Tea Party bullies in their place. That's just what our country needs!

Obama never voted against raising the debt ceiling -- or if he did, then this was necessary at the time. He actually cares about the country as a whole!

[hdjc86]

I am happy to see that there is support for our rights among reasonable people, even "non-gun people". I think that everyone can agree that putting one right on the chopping block dangles them all in front of the knife.

Solidarity in the face of manipulation (both parties are guilty) is the only thing that will save us.

Now every time someone supports your right to keep and bear, be sure to return the favor and support their rights as well, even if it offends you. Rights are for all Americans.

[hdjc86]

I am a life long shooter and supporter of the constitution, 2A included. All shooters know that real assault rifles have been functionally illegal since the 1930's; what we have today are simply carbines of a modern aesthetic.

That being said, the video is the most honest look at this issue that i have seen. The term "Assault rifle" is used to facilitate the conversation, considering that is how it is colloquially known on account of the media.

[Wintermute1119]

"Assault weapon" is a term cooked up my anti-gun people to illicit fear in those who are ignorant. "Assault rifle" is a real firearms term that has a definition. A rifle chambered in an intermediate caliber (5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 5.545x39mm, 6.8x43mm SPC, ect) that is capable of select fire (either semi-automatic or fully automatic) and is fed from a detachable box magazine. The latter has been illegal to purchase knew since the Hughes Amendment to FOPA in 1986.

[UTubekookdetector]

Well said! I get sick-and-tired of hearing that loaded term, I get tired of hearing the talking heads talk about automatic weapons (which are very hard to obtain) & talk about these semiauto firearms "spraying bullets."

[34lbs]

She definitely directed my poll.... upwards that is...

[TWSceptic]

That's true unfortunately.

[Kevo F]

Don't worry, they won't block it. It has never not been raised, they just have to fight over it to make it look like they give a shit. But seriously, you need to stop listening to Obama. If you must listen to Obama, read what he said when he voted against raising the debt ceiling.