More on public opinion of the NRA

[Mr VJP]

An enlightening new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey indicates that the National Rifle Association has significantly more credibility with likely U.S. voters than the National Education Association, and far more than the Sierra Club.

The survey of 1,000 "Likely Voters" was conducted June 30-July 1.

The favorable/unfavorable percentages shook out like this: NRA-54 to 41percent; NEA-42 to 37 percent; Sierra Club-35 to 32 percent.

Of the 42 percent of all likely U.S. voters who hold at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the NEA, 37 percent regard the organization at least somewhat unfavorably, including 22 percent with a very unfavorable view, and 17 percent very favorable. That left 20 percent with no opinion of the national teacher's union, which on July 4 announced its endorsement of President Obama-16 months ahead of the 2011 election and before a Republican opponent has even been chosen.

Among Democrats, 60 percent said they view the NEA favorably, while 57 percent identifying themselves as Republicans regard the union unfavorably.

There's little doubt among politicos and poll watchers that the National Rifle Association is likely to endorse whomever Republicans choose as their presidential nominee in 2012. Of those polled by Rasmussen, 54 percent view the NRA favorably, with 29 percent having a very favorable opinion, 41 percent with an unfavorable view, and 25 percent with a very unfavorable view.

Among those polled, 80 percent of Republicans and 53 percent of unaffiliated voters share a favorable opinion of the NRA, while 63 percent of Democrats view the group unfavorably.

Onward to the Sierra Club, widely regarded as the most powerful environmental group in the country.

Despite its high profile as a national voice and lobbying powerhouse, 33 percent of those polled had no opinion of the Sierra Club.

Of those remaining, 35 percent viewed the Sierra Club favorably, 32 percent had an unfavorable view, 16 percent very unfavorable and 12 percent with a very favorable opinion. Democrats were inclined to have a positive view of the Sierra Club, while Republicans saw it in a negative light. Unaffiliated voters had more mixed feelings.

A separate Rasmussen poll performed in January of this year found that only 36 percent of Americans support stricter gun control laws, while a 56 percent majority prefer less stringent gun-ownership laws and regulations.

[Mr VJP]

More Hunters, Shooters Belong to NRA than Any Other Organization      FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - Concerns over increasingly confusing and restrictive gun laws along with the common bond firearms create among shooters and hunters across the entire spectrum of outdoor sports appears to be a driving force in why so many people are members of the National Rifle Association (NRA). In a recent survey conducted as part of Southwick Associate's monthly Hunter Survey, more active hunters and shooters claim membership in the NRA than any other organization.

The organization that received the next highest nod was the North American Hunting Club, while the dedicated conservation organization that received the next highest membership claim was Ducks Unlimited. The National Wild Turkey Federation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation were next, respectively. The survey findings basically mirror each group's actual reported membership with the NRA claiming as many as 4.3 million members, while the NAHC has more than 850,000 and Ducks Unlimited close to 780,000.

"Involvement and unity has been the silver lining to all the political and conservation issues faced by hunters and shooters. No other recreational group can claim to be as organized and effective as sportsmen and women in defending their freedoms and rights," said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

Southwick also pointed out that it is impressive to see so many people maintaining their membership across such a broad array of conservation groups, particularly given these tough economic times.