President Barack Obama has proposed sweeping new gun laws in the wake of the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn. An exclusive FOX 5/Insider Advantage poll shows that opinions about gun laws in the strongly conservative Georgia could be changing.
"We are seeing some lessening with regards to these hard positions with regard to gun control in Georgia," said Insider Advantage CEO Matt Towery.
According to the poll, an overwhelming 61 percent of Georgians now support universal background checks.
Some women FOX 5's Justin Gray talked to a gun range said they weren't against the background checks.
"I don't know a lot about the gun laws, but I do think that the background check would not be something unreasonable. That would be fine," Melissa Shepherd said.
But the poll – and the group of women at the gun range – said people are skeptical about laws that would ban certain weapons.
"I do not think having more gun laws or even really stricter gun laws will solve any problems," Carrie Bailey said.
Overall, when we asked about President Obama's gun control proposals, 52 percent of Georgians said they opposed them.
"They're saying they don't favor all of what President Obama is proposing, but they do favor some of the changes that could make things to what they consider more reasonable," said Towery.
Towery says that is a significant shift.
According to the poll, more Georgians said they opposed one state lawmaker's plan to arm school administrators than supported it.
"Here we're seeing a shift – it's not massive, but it's enough to tell legislators that they need to be very careful in terms of proposing things like arming schools," Towery said.
Looking deeper at the numbers, it appears women are really driving this issue; some of the changes in numbers we are seeing are among females.
"Women are not as much in favor and women are, and they make up, a large part of the independent vote in Georgia. They are the swing vote in this state and they are being heard in these polls," Towery said.
The poll results run very close to what FOX 5 heard from the group of women at the gun range.
So what does this mean for the gun law debate in Washington? Nobody expects the Georgia delegation to support all of the president's proposals, and the poll shows most Georgians don't want them to.
But on certain issues --especially universal background checks -- there is support even here in Georgia, not only among Democrats and independents, but also the majority of Republicans.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:43:30 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:52:32 GMT
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong."
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong. I would never, ever, ever do anything to violate the public trust."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:29 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:29:16 GMT
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:46:33 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:42 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:42:24 GMT
The driver of a vehicle that crashed into a grocery store on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning has been arrested. The car jumped the curb before mowing down a tree, light post, fire hydrant and injuring six people.
The driver of a vehicle that crashed into a grocery store on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning has been arrested. The car jumped the curb before mowing down a tree, light post, fire hydrant and injuring six people.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:46:33 GMT
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power.
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power. A spokeswoman for Public Service Electric & Gas says the bird touched a transformer on Clinton Street near Columbus Park Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:37 GMT
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
A father and son who admitted they were pimps have been acquitted in New York of sex trafficking after several prostitutes testified they were treated well.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:30 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:30:41 GMT
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
