Search Results: self confidence

A recent Convention of States Action poll (see below) reveals that most Americans believe an armed civilian is their best protection during a mass shooting event compared to other personnel, including law enforcement.

The Poll was conducted between July 7, and July 10, 2022. It sampled 1,078 respondents who are likely general election voters. The confidence rating of the poll was 95% and the margin of error was 2.9%.

In total, 41.8% of respondents stated that an armed citizen would be their best protection during a mass shooting event. The next most common response was local law enforcement at 25.1%.

The Daily Caller reports that a clear partisan divide exists in the polling data. Over 70% of Republicans believe that an armed civilian would be their most reliable source of protection. Only 16.3% of Democrats felt the same way.

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Almost two-thirds of respondents indicated that they were confident local law enforcement and/or government officials could stop an active shooter. Approximately, 35% indicated they were “not very confident,” and 26.9% said there were “not confident at all” in state and local law enforcement.

States Action President Mark Meckler explained in a press release that “police failures in the recent shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, may have influenced respondents.”

“Americans watched in horror as an active shooter was permitted to rampage through a school while the police stood outside and did absolutely nothing,” observed Meckler.

“Over and over again, citizens are given the clear message that — when it comes to protecting loved ones — you’re on your own. At the same time, we’re told guns are the problem and we should give up our right to self-defense,” Meckler said.