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Atlanta - Over two-thirds (67%) of the voting public believe encforcing current laws against using a firearm in a crime, rather than government limiting the number of firearms an individual may purchase (18%), is a more effective means of addressing criminal violence. Even fewer, only 8%, think cities or states should sue gun makers. The results are from a new nationwide survey of registered voters conducted for the American Fireamrs Council (AFC). "The electorate is clearly telling our policy makers to focus resources on enforcing the laws we have, go after the bad guys, and not place further restrictions or burdens on honest citizens or legitimate businesses," said AFC President Richard J. Feldman. The survey also shows that by overwhelming margins, American voters believe strongly in their individual right to own firearms (73% - 25%), and favor their being allowed to obtain a license to carry a firearm for self-protection (69% - 30%). Additionally, voters cite "self-protection" (60%), "hunting" (41%), "sport and target shooting" (19%), and "hobby/collecting" (7%) as legitimate reasons for owning a firearm. Other key findings in the survey include overwhelming support (89%) for the firearm industry^s voluntaryinitiative announced last October at the White House to begin providing safety locking devices with their firearms. The survey also found that 77% of voters support firearm awareness and safety training for children. The survey was conducted October 3-6 of 800 registered voters nationwide by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Virginia. The margin of error is +/- 3%. The AFC is an industry educational foundation that conducts and collects research, and disseminates information on firearm safety, and about firearms for sport, self-protection and other legitimate uses.

Uploaded: 10/30/1999