Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), who's running for re-election in 2014, might have been trying to be just a bit too cautious when he voted with Republicans to block expanded background checks on gun sales at gun shows and online. At least, that's what
the latest polling [pdf] from Anzalone Liszt Grove Research suggests.
- Nearly three out-of-four (72%) Arkansas voters support expanding background checks to include individuals who buy guns at gun shows, with 54% strongly favoring such a requirement.
- Arkansas voters are also more likely to vote for their U.S. Senator by a 31-point margin if their Senator votes in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows. A strong majority (56%) say they would be more likely to vote for their Senator if he voted in favor of this requirement, while just 25% say they would be less likely to vote for him.
- Intensity is also on the side of supporters. While 54% strongly favor requiring background checks at gun shows, only 15% are strongly opposed. Similarly, over twice as many voters (31%), say they would be much more likely to vote for a Senator who voted for this requirement than the share who say they would be much less likely to do so (14%). [emphasis added]
The Manchin-Toomey background check compromise could conceivably come back up for a vote, giving Mark Pryor the opportunity to get his priorities in order.