Oregonians skeptical of gun control in general, but support some new firearm restrictions

Ryan Wiley of Washington County joins other gun-rights supporters at a rally at the State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 19.

More than in the rest of the country, Oregonians express strong support for gun rights – but they still support some additional restrictions on firearms.

That's the key finding of a

that found a strong majority in favor of expanding background checks. Much narrower majorities  favor curbing military-style assault weapons and the size of gun clips.

"I'm not anti-gun by any means," said one respondent, Christine McCartney, 63, of Portland, reflecting the divided view of many in the poll. The retired psychologist said she once owned guns and had a concealed handgun license, but she added that gun owners "should be willing to make a small sacrifice to increase the safety of others."

The Jan. 29-31 survey of 504 Oregon adults was conducted by Elway Research Inc., of Seattle, an independent pollster. It carries a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus.

The poll found many sharp divisions over gun issues, which have been heatedly debated in the wake of the Dec. 14 massacre in Newtown, Conn and -- particularly in this state -- the shootings three days before in the Clackamas mall that left two dead.

A majority of Oregonians say it's more important to protect gun rights than to control ownership, and that officials should do a better job of enforcing existing laws instead of passing new restrictions.

In contrast,

show a majority of Americans are more interested in controlling gun ownership and that they are evenly divided on the question of enforcing existing laws versus adding new ones.

Oregonians in the Portland tri-county area are much more likely to support gun restrictions than those in the rest of the state, the survey found. That's not surprising given that the rest of the state is more rural, more politically conservative and has higher rates of gun ownership.

"All my friends have guns and we've been out hunting from an early age," said one respondent, Scott Graham, 25, a Chemeketa Community College student from the small Willamette Valley town of Scio. Graham is skeptical of new gun restrictions.

"We've been taught to respect guns, but it's real natural to be around them," Graham added. "It's just another tool."

The poll found that gun owners are much less likely to support new restrictions, but they are not unanimous in their views. For example, 36 percent said they supported a ban on assault weapons and 39 percent backed limits on gun clips.

Supporters of additional restrictions say they are not surprised that Oregonians are more likely to back specific measures than gun control in general.

"If you talk about specific things, people are not only in favor but they are surprised the law is not already that way," said Penny Okamoto, executive director of Ceasefire Oregon.

She backs four major pieces of legislation likely to dominate this year's legislative debate over guns. The group is

like the weapons used in the Newtown and Clackamas shootings.

In addition, the group supports bills sponsored by Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, to

,

to include all private gun sales, and prohibit concealed handgun licensees from carrying their firearms into schools.

The poll found that 81 percent of Oregonians supported the more expansive background checks while only 16 percent were opposed. The other three measures were supported by just over 50 percent of adults and opposed by at least 40 percent.

Unlike most states, Oregon already requires background checks on all firearms purchases at gun shows. Burdick's bill would cover all other private sales and transfers.

Gun-rights lobbyists say the poll demonstrates that they have their work cut out for them, particularly when it comes to the issue of background checks.

"It's up to us to make the case that the ones we fear don't get background checks," said Kevin Starrett, executive director of the Oregon Firearms Federation. He argues  that would-be killers evade the checks, whether by stealing guns or other means, while responsible gun owners are sometimes caught up in bureaucratic delays.

Burdick said the poll confirmed her belief that expanding background checks stands the best chance of getting through the Legislature. She says the expanded checks could keep guns out of the hands of some dangerous people.

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The Oregonian's poll also found unanimity on some other steps to reduce gun violence. Fully 91 percent of respondents said the mental health system should be improved to identify and treat potential assailants, and 84 percent said they wanted to give schools financial help on such things as security cameras and card locks for doors.

Gov. John Kitzhaber and legislative leaders have talked about these measures as well, although they've conceded that schools and mental health programs are already strapped for cash.

Oregonians are divided about the value of putting more police or armed guards in schools and other public places -- and about the proposal to help and encourage teachers and school administrators to carry guns.

The poll found that 50 percent of Oregonians thought more police or armed guards would be helpful while 45 percent thought it wouldn't do much. That's just outside the poll's margin of error.

Forty percent said they favored allowing school personnel to carry guns while 49 percent were opposed.

Nationally, surveys show much higher support for more police and armed guards. For example, a recent CBS-New York Times poll found that 74 percent thought it would be useful.

"The armed guards might be OK," said Rachel Atteberry, 32, a Salem college student and mother of three, "but I'm not so sure if the teachers need to have weapons on them. They are in a classroom full of kids and what if one of them got a hold of their gun?"

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