That may well be a big underestimate as gun owners are reluctant to tell a survey taker who knocks on their door or calls them up on a phone that they do own such weapons. Guns are valuable. Would you tell some stranger that you had gold coins in your home?
I have never been asked by a survey taker if I own firearms. I don't answer the phone unless I know who is calling or the person leaves a message. Consequently I don't take phone surveys. If a survey taker shows up at my door I would never admit to owning firearms as in my opinion it is none of his damn business.
I have known a good number of gun owners over the years and most feel voting is important. They show up at the polls and vote. Gun control advocates don't have any money invested in the game so unless there has been a recent tragic massacre they often don't show up at the pools and vote for candidates who support gun control or for gun control measures. Standing in a long line to vote is a pain so you have to be enthusiastic emough to show up. Gun owners also appear to have better memories than many gun control advocates and they remember the days of the expired Federal Assault Weapons Ban well. They never wish to see such legislation pass again.
Most gun owners I know totally oppose another assault weapons ban as even if they don't own an "assault weapon." They firmly believe that such a ban would be a step to further bans such as a ban on all semiautomatic firearms and a ban on handguns.
According to the 2010 census there are about 38 million blacks and 50 million Hispanics in our nation not all who are of voting age. In my opinion it is not wise for the Democratic Party to alienate a large voting block such as the 80 million gun owners in this nation if they wish to regain the White House and control of Congress.
The Democratic Party might be wise to firmly state that it no longer supports gun bans or federal registration of firearms. Push instead for more reasonable and effective ways to try to insure firearms stay out the hands of the criminal element.
Of course the chances of that happening are similar to the Republcans saying they will no longer push for a repeal of Roe v Wade.
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