By John Celock
A new poll shows that a narrow plurality of New Hampshire voters back casino gambling in the state while a large majority oppose legislation that would allow concealed carry of a gun without a license.
A Public Policy Poll released Tuesday shows that 49 percent of those surveyed legislation that would allow casino gaming in the state, with 42 percent opposing the casino bill. The poll also shows that 71 percent of voters oppose legislation that would allow the concealed carry of a gun without a permit, a measure that is supported by 23 percent of those surveyed.
The poll showed that the casino legislation support is breaking along party lines with 52 percent of Democrats surveyed supporting the measure while 49 percent of Republicans surveyed oppose it. Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) has endorsed one casino in the state in order to boost revenues.
The poll indicated that 48 percent of senior citizens surveyed opposed the casino bill while 42 percent supported the bill. Sixty seven percent of younger voters backed the measure.
The gun legislation showed that 87 percent of Democrats surveyed opposed the bill along with 55 percent of Republicans surveyed. The bill – known as constitutional carry – has been gaining support at the state level in recent years. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) signed a similar bill into law in his state this year. Neighboring Vermont has allowed concealed carry without a permit since the 1700s.