By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A new Rasmussen survey released Wednesday shows a whopping 85 percent of likely voters “believe it is likely there will be more political violence in the next few months, including 48% who say it’s Very Likely.”
While Democrat politicians—including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who reportedly is pushing more gun control as he runs for a third term—almost immediately started mentioning guns, Rasmussen’s poll showed only 28 percent of likely voters think the availability of guns is to blame for increasing political unrest. There are indications the bolt-action sporterized Mauser 98 rifle used by the Utah killer had been in his family for many years.
Down in Louisiana, WBRZ News is reporting how gun stores are still seeing crowds in the aftermath of the recent “tax-free” holiday sales for firearms, and gun shop owners “said that recent national violence could also be fueling sales.”
Almost simultaneous to the release of Rasmussen’s survey, Fox News is reporting how the Network Contagion Research Institute and a Rutgers University Social Perception lab teamed up on a “recent intelligence report” which warned about a “rise in assassination culture.” This report may not be far off the mark.
According to Rasmussen’s survey, “Among voters who Strongly Agree with (President) Trump’s quote about ‘the tragic consequences’ involved in the murder of Charlie Kirk, 81% consider it Very Likely there will be more political violence in the next few months.” Forty-six percent blame “heated political rhetoric” for the toxic political environment.
“Ninety percent (90%) of all Likely Voters are concerned about political violence in America, including 69% who are Very Concerned,” Rasmussen said.
Kirk was assassinated while speaking to thousands of students at Utah Valley University last week. Back in June, two Minnesota lawmakers were shot, and at the time that happened, 78 percent of likely voters expected more political violence. Last week, the premonition came true.
Remarkably, only 19 percent of likely voters blame mental illness as a factor, Rasmussen revealed, while 50 percent of Republicans, 48 percent of Independents and 41 percent of Democrats blame heated political rhetoric. Could it be because Democrats seem to be using “heated rhetoric” more than Republicans and Independents?
Meanwhile, breaking things down along party lines, Democrats predictably blame guns rather than political rhetoric, for the violence, Rasmussen said.
“Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Democrats think the availability of firearms is more to blame,” according to Rasmussen, “and 21% of Republicans and 23% of unaffiliated voters agree. Mental illness is blamed by 22% of Republicans, 13% of Democrats and 21% of unaffiliated voters.”
Traditionally, gun sales always increase when politicians begin talking gun control in the wake of some tragedy.
