Connecticut is seeing a surge in gun ownership among women. As a former Connecticut resident who is fond of reminding the gun community how much of our gun heritage originates in that small little state – this is GOOD NEWS!!!
Per the article, in the first half of 2012 over 3,500 women were issued carry permits. To put that in perspective, currently 30,000 women have carry permits. So in a mere 1/2 a year Connecticut has added 10% again onto the number of women with carry permits.
Now realize, if you could earn a 10% return in 6 months you would be considered an uber-growth stock. Let’s not forget we are talking about a New England state, one considered to be a liberal bastion. What this means is that the perception of gun ownership is ceasing to merely be a conservative, redneck ideal and is increasingly being viewed with broad political appeal
The effect on the future of politics may be profound. Currently, the vast majority of 2nd Amendment support derives from the conservative base. It’s often why we get slammed when Republicans are in office. If the Republicans don’t back our cause the Democrats are surely not going to leap to our defense. But if firearms ceases to be a left/right issue, and the Democrats start to see more and more of their constitutuents supporting 2nd Amendment rights. The right to keep and bear arms will become a swing voter issue. If you understand the game of politics, the swing vote is the mighty vote. The staunch conservative and liberals seldom affect the outcome of elections. It’s that middle undecided vote, the vote that brings the 2%-4% percentage point difference in close elections, and decides who wins and who loses.
If this trend grows, more and more Democrats may find themselves less gung ho on gun control Sure, you’ll have the die-hard liberals. But those Democrats who actually don’t give a darn about the issue one way or the other could begin to become supporters, if they view it as a way to garner an edge in an election.
The article includes a number of profound fact, just to summarize:
- 43% of women polled reported having a firearm in their house
- 23% of women polled said they own a gun
- 3,500 new carry permits for women in the first half of 2012
- Women focused training event – SOLD OUT
- 73% increase in firearm sales to women
- 50% increase in female participation in shooting sports
Wow, what can I say? This was one of the most informed, well researched and accurate articles I’ve seen on firearms in a very long time. Excellent job by the Hartford Courant!
http://www.courant.com/community/simsbury/hc-women-with-guns-20120706,0,1008483.story
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