Most Americans support the right to use deadly force to protect themselves – even in public places – and have a favorable view of the National Rifle Association, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The online survey showed that 68 percent, or two out of three respondents, had a favorable opinion of the NRA, which starts its annual convention today in St. Louis.
Most of the 1,922 people surveyed nationwide from April 9-12 said they supported laws that allow Americans to use deadly force to protect themselves from danger in their own home, or in a public place. “Americans do hold to this idea that people should be allowed to defend themselves and using deadly force is fine, in those circumstances,” said pollster Chris Jackson. The survey was conducted amid a nationwide debate over gun rights and race after the shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, by George Zimmerman.