(Times Dispatch) In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shootings, a poll of Virginia voters finds strong support for armed police officers in schools, but also indicates overwhelming backing for conducting background checks on buys at gun shows and a desire to limit weapons purchases to one a month.
The Quinnipiac University poll indicates support of 66 percent to 29 percent for an armed officer in every school, while 60-36 percent believe gun purchases should be limited to one per month. Last year, the GOP-controlled General Assembly voted to repeal the state’s longstanding ban on purchasing more than one handgun a month.
The greatest disconnect between legislative action and public opinion, however, is on the issue of background checks. According to the poll, Virginians overwhelmingly favor, 92-7, conducting background checks on people who buy guns at gun shows.
Currently, private sellers can sell weapons at gun shows without having to conduct a check of a purchaser; only purchases made from federally licensed dealers at the shows require a background check.
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