GOP pollster: NRA isn’t listening

by Cameron Joseph - 12/26/12 3:28 PM ET

Top GOP pollster Frank Luntz said the National Rifle Association’s call for armed guards in schools shows it is not listening to the public response to the shooting in Newtown, Conn.

“The public wants guns out of the schools, not in the schools,” Luntz said Wednesday morning on CBS. “And they are not asking for a security official or someone else.”

“I don’t think the NRA is listening. I don’t think they understand most Americans would protect the Second Amendment rights and yet agree with the idea that not every human being should own a gun, not every gun should be available at anytime, anywhere, for anyone. At gun shows, you should not be able to buy something there without any kind of check whatsoever.”

{mosads}Luntz is a prominent Republican pollster, though he’s also worked for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group backed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) that calls for stricter gun-control laws. Luntz conducted a poll for the group in May that found many NRA members would support some restrictions on firearms.

NRA leaders last week called for armed guards in schools in response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 27 dead, 20 of which were young children. The group blasted talk from President Obama and Democrats about new gun-control legislation, arguing shootings can only be prevented by having “good guys with guns” prepared to take action.

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Luntz said most Americans don’t agree with the NRA’s position.

“What they are looking for is a common sense approach saying those who are law-abiding should continue to have the right to own a weapon, but don’t believe the right should be extended to everyone at every time for every type of weapon,” he said.

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