Poll: Floridians favor more gun control, Hillary Clinton for president in 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Florida voters support universal background checks for gun purchases, other gun control laws and Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

The poll found that 91 percent of Florida voters support universal background checks for gun purchases.

"The idea of requiring background checks on those who want to buy guns has overwhelming support, 91-8 percent, in a country where getting a majority to agree on anything is often difficult," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Floridians also support Hillary Clinton more than their homegrown political stars, Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush. In head-to-head match-ups, Clinton leads Bush 51 to 40 percent and Rubio 52 to 41 percent.

By a 51-44 percent margin, Florida voters support stricter gun control laws in the state, with majorities backing an assault weapons ban and a ban on high-capacity magazines.

Florida's results track those by pollsters in other states, despite the fact that the Sunshine State is one of the most gun-friendly in the country. In December, Florida surpassed 1 million concealed carry permits, leading all states.

Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday that if voters want tougher gun laws, they should tell lawmakers.

The poll sampled 1,000 registered voters in Florida from March 13-18, 2013. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Among other results:

• A majority, 56-41 percent, support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons;

• A majority, 53-43 percent, support a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds;

• A large majority, 59-36 percent, support placing armed police officers in schools;

• A large majority, 57-33 percent, say gun ownership in Florida does more to protect people from crime than to put them at risk;

• An overwhelming majority, 60-31 percent, say allowing people to own assault weapons makes the country more dangerous rather than safer, with gun owners divided 44-44 percent.