Poll: Most NRA members support comprehensive background checks

Most National Rifle Association (NRA) members support comprehensive background checks for those purchasing a firearm, according to a new poll.

A Monmouth University poll released Thursday finds that 69 percent of NRA members support comprehensive background checks. Among gun owners not in the organization, 78 percent support requiring background checks for all firearm purchases.

Nearly 90 percent of non-gun owners back comprehensive background checks, the poll found.

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Most NRA members, 57 percent, also strongly oppose creating a national gun registry database, while 31 percent support the idea, according to the Monmouth poll. 

A shooting last month at a high school in Parkland, Fla., sparked renewed debate over gun laws. Students who survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have largely led the conversation about preventing gun violence and future school shootings.

President Trump has voiced support at various times since the shooting for strengthening background checks, raising the age requirement to purchase a rifle and banning bump stocks.

However, the White House last week walked back the president’s support for universal background checks, saying Trump is interested in “improving the background check system.”

No gun legislation has been passed in the weeks since the Parkland shooting, despite recent polls showing overwhelming support for stricter gun laws.