LATEST MASSACRE DRIVES GUN CONTROL SUPPORT TO NEW HIGH, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS; VOTERS REJECT GOP TAX PLAN 2-1

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1 Tim Malloy, Assistant Director (203) FOR RELEASE: NOVEMBER 15, 2017 Rubenstein Pat Smith (212) LATEST MASSACRE DRIVES GUN CONTROL SUPPORT TO NEW HIGH, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS; VOTERS REJECT GOP TAX PLAN 2-1 In the wake of another massacre, American voters today support 95 4 percent, including 94 5 percent among voters in households where there is a gun, universal background checks for gun purchases, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. This is the highest level of support for universal background checks since the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll first asked this question in February 2013, in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre. American voters support percent a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons, also a new high. Voters in gun households support a ban percent. Voters support percent stricter gun laws and a number of specific gun measures: 91 7 percent for a ban on the sale of guns to people convicted of a violent crime; percent for stricter regulation of ammunition sales; percent for a ban on gun modifications that can make a gun work more like a fully automatic weapon. It is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S., 59 percent of American voters say. But only 37 percent say the ease of buying guns is the bigger cause of mass shootings, while 52 percent say the bigger reason is because it s too difficult to get mental health care. Stricter gun laws would help prevent mass shootings, 34 percent of voters say, as 62 percent say shooters would find a way around stricter gun laws and commit these crimes anyway. With each American gun massacre, there is stronger voter support for tighter gun control measures, said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. But the cynical view prevails. Stricter laws will do no good whatsoever in a country with more guns than people. American voters disapprove percent of the Republican tax plan. Republican voters approve percent, with 26 percent undecided. All other party, gender, education, age and racial groups disapprove. -more-

2 Quinnipiac University Poll/November 15, 2017 page 2 The wealthy would mainly benefit from this tax plan, 61 percent of American voters say, while 24 percent say the middle class will mainly benefit and 6 percent say low-income people would mainly benefit. American voters say percent that the Republican tax plan favors the rich at the expense of the middle class. Only 16 percent of American voters say the Republican tax plan will reduce their taxes, while 35 percent of voters say it will increase their taxes and 36 percent say it won t have much impact on their taxes. Only 36 percent of voters believe the GOP tax plan will lead to an increase in jobs and economic growth, while 52 percent do not believe it. American voter opinions on some of the elements of the Republican tax plan are: percent that lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent is a bad idea; percent that doubling the standard deduction is a good idea; percent that eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes is a bad idea; percent that eliminating the estate tax is a good idea. The sentiment from voters: The GOP tax plan is a great idea, if you are rich. Otherwise, you re out of luck, Malloy said. That Russian Thing American voters say percent that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is conducting a fair investigation into possible ties between the Trump presidential campaign and the Russian government. Voters are divided percent on whether President Donald Trump should be impeached and removed from office if he fires Mueller. From November 7 13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,577 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, including the design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and Colorado as a public service and for research. Visit poll.qu.edu or Call (203) , or follow us on 2

3 15. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Excellent 8% 16% 2% 7% 9% 6% 9% 9% Good Not so good Poor DK/NA Excellent 3% 8% 8% 7% 10% 8% 9% - 4% Good Not so good Poor DK/NA TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Not so Exclnt Good Good Poor DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 11, Aug 17, Jun 28, May 10, Apr 20, Apr 04, Mar 22, Mar 07, Feb 22, Jan 10, Nov 28, Link to full trend on website 3

4 16. Who do you believe is more responsible for the current state of the economy: former President Obama or President Trump? Obama 50% 35% 59% 51% 48% 51% 50% 47% Trump DK/NA Obama 48% 54% 53% 48% 46% 50% 48% 56% 60% Trump DK/NA ECONOMY IS Q15 Exlnt/ NtGood/ Good Poor Obama 50% 48% Trump DK/NA TREND: Who do you believe is more responsible for the current state of the economy: former President Obama or President Trump? Obama Trump DK/NA Nov 15, Aug 17, Jun 28, May 10, Apr 20, Apr 04, Mar 22, Mar 07, Would you describe your financial situation these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Excellent 13% 16% 11% 13% 13% 13% 21% 9% Good Not so good Poor DK/NA Excellent 10% 15% 13% 13% 16% 14% 15% 7% 12% Good Not so good Poor DK/NA

5 TREND: Would you describe your financial situation these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Not so Exclnt Good Good Poor DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 11, Aug 17, Jun 28, May 10, Apr 20, Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - gun policy? Approve 40% 82% 10% 37% 48% 32% 40% 54% Disapprove DK/NA Approve 38% 38% 39% 40% 56% 39% 47% 9% 28% Disapprove DK/NA Approve 31% 49% 42% 33% 33% 35% 58% 55% Disapprove DK/NA TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - gun policy? App Dis DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - taxes? Approve 34% 75% 6% 31% 40% 29% 36% 47% Disapprove DK/NA Approve 31% 31% 36% 35% 48% 37% 42% 7% 19% Disapprove DK/NA

6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - taxes? App Dis DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 11, May 11, Do you approve or disapprove of the Republican tax plan? Approve 25% 60% 4% 20% 30% 20% 25% 34% Disapprove DK/NA Approve 26% 25% 23% 24% 36% 25% 30% 7% 13% Disapprove DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Approve 20% 23% 28% 24% 22% 24% 28% 21% Disapprove DK/NA Do you think the Republican tax plan will increase your taxes, reduce your taxes, or will it not have much impact either way? Increase taxes 35% 16% 54% 33% 31% 40% 33% 27% Reduce taxes Not much impact DK/NA Increase taxes 36% 35% 39% 31% 26% 33% 30% 56% 48% Reduce taxes Not much impact DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Increase taxes 32% 33% 36% 41% 45% 33% 37% 36% Reduce taxes Not much impact DK/NA

7 32. Do you believe that the Republican tax plan will lead to an increase in jobs and economic growth, or not? Yes/Believe 36% 78% 8% 31% 43% 30% 38% 47% No DK/NA Yes/Believe 30% 36% 36% 38% 50% 37% 43% 9% 20% No DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Yes/Believe 29% 35% 41% 32% 33% 39% 36% 32% No DK/NA Who do you think will benefit the most from this plan: low income Americans, middle class Americans, or wealthy Americans? Low income 6% 11% 3% 4% 7% 5% 5% 8% Middle class Wealthy DK/NA Low income 5% 7% 7% 4% 8% 5% 6% - 7% Middle class Wealthy DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Low income 8% 4% 5% 6% 8% 7% 5% 4% Middle class Wealthy DK/NA

8 34. (Intro q34-37: Please tell me whether you think each one of the following parts of the Republican tax plan is a good idea or bad idea.) Do you think that lowering the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% is a good idea or a bad idea? Good idea 45% 81% 20% 43% 50% 41% 45% 54% Bad idea DK/NA Good idea 38% 44% 45% 50% 55% 46% 50% 29% 27% Bad idea DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Good idea 36% 48% 46% 42% 50% 48% 44% 44% Bad idea DK/NA Do you think that almost doubling the standard deduction for both single and married Americans is a good idea or a bad idea? Good idea 58% 74% 48% 58% 62% 55% 63% 64% Bad idea DK/NA Good idea 41% 55% 66% 68% 66% 62% 64% 40% 47% Bad idea DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Good idea 43% 66% 62% 64% 66% 60% 58% 62% Bad idea DK/NA

9 36. Do you think that eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes is a good idea or a bad idea? Good idea 30% 54% 17% 26% 36% 25% 28% 36% Bad idea DK/NA Good idea 37% 29% 29% 27% 38% 28% 32% 20% 27% Bad idea DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Good idea 30% 31% 35% 24% 23% 35% 29% 26% Bad idea DK/NA Do you think that eliminating the estate tax, otherwise known as the "death tax" is a good idea or a bad idea? Good idea 48% 81% 22% 46% 52% 43% 50% 57% Bad idea DK/NA Good idea 38% 48% 49% 52% 59% 49% 54% 26% 34% Bad idea DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Good idea 35% 50% 52% 46% 47% 49% 49% 43% Bad idea DK/NA

10 38. Do you think the Republican tax plan favors the rich at the expense of the middle class, or not? Yes/Favors the rich 59% 24% 87% 60% 53% 64% 60% 47% No DK/NA Yes/Favors the rich 59% 65% 59% 58% 46% 59% 53% 85% 71% No DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Yes/Favors the rich 64% 56% 59% 63% 68% 57% 59% 63% No DK/NA If you could, would you be interested in taking your charitable donations directly out of your paycheck tax free and sending them directly to the charities of your choice, or wouldn't you be interested in doing that? Yes/Direct from pay 45% 43% 43% 48% 47% 44% 50% 41% No DK/NA Yes/Direct from pay 47% 59% 48% 28% 50% 40% 45% 48% 46% No DK/NA ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... ECONOMIC CLASS Upper <30K 50K 100K 250K >250K Wrkng Middle Middle+ Yes/Direct from pay 39% 38% 48% 59% 55% 40% 45% 56% No DK/NA

11 45. Regardless of whether you believe it impacted the outcome of the election, do you think that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 presidential election, or not? Yes/Interfered 64% 32% 87% 66% 59% 68% 71% 49% No DK/NA Yes/Interfered 64% 66% 66% 62% 55% 63% 59% 83% 69% No DK/NA TREND: Regardless of whether you believe it impacted the outcome of the election, do you think that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 presidential election, or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, Aug 02, As you may know, Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to oversee the criminal investigation into any links or coordination between President Trump's campaign and the Russian government. Do you think that he is conducting a fair investigation into this matter, or not? Yes/Fair 60% 41% 76% 63% 63% 58% 66% 53% No DK/NA Yes/Fair 53% 69% 64% 57% 59% 59% 59% 68% 60% No DK/NA

12 47. Do you think that the Russian interference in the 2016 election is a very important issue, a somewhat important issue, a not so important issue, or not an important issue at all? Very important 46% 13% 70% 47% 42% 50% 46% 34% Smwht important Not so important Not important at all DIDN'T INTERFERE(VOL) DK/NA Very important 40% 48% 50% 44% 37% 43% 40% 73% 51% Smwht important Not so important Not important at all DIDN'T INTERFERE(VOL) DK/NA TREND: Do you think that the Russian interference in the 2016 election is a very important issue, a somewhat important issue, a not so important issue, or not an important issue at all? Very Smwht NotSo NotImp DIDN'T Imp Imp Imp Atall INTRFR DK/NA Nov 15, Jun 29, Jun 07, May 24, Apr 20, Apr 05, Mar 24, Mar 08, Feb 23, Jan 30, Do you believe that individuals in the Trump campaign coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, or not? Yes/Coordinated 50% 10% 81% 50% 44% 55% 51% 35% No DK/NA Yes/Coordinated 55% 53% 47% 49% 36% 48% 42% 81% 54% No DK/NA

13 TREND: Do you believe that individuals in the Trump campaign coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, May 24, Apr 20, Apr 05, How concerned are you that President Trump may have business ties through his companies to Russia; very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned, or not concerned at all? Very concerned 34% 2% 62% 34% 30% 38% 36% 24% Smwht concerned Not so concerned Not concerned at all DK/NA Very concerned 26% 35% 37% 39% 25% 34% 30% 58% 32% Smwht concerned Not so concerned Not concerned at all DK/NA TREND: How concerned are you that President Trump may have business ties through his companies to Russia; very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned, or not concerned at all? Very Smwht NotSo Not Concern Concern Concern Concern DK/NA Nov 15, May 24,

14 50. When it comes to President Trump's relationship with Russia, do you believe that: he did something illegal, he did something unethical but nothing illegal, or do you believe that President Trump did not do anything wrong? Illegal 28% 1% 54% 26% 26% 31% 27% 22% Unethical/Not illegl Not anything wrong DK/NA Illegal 31% 28% 28% 28% 21% 26% 24% 49% 35% Unethical/Not illegl Not anything wrong DK/NA TREND: When it comes to President Trump's relationship with Russia, do you believe that: he did something illegal, he did something unethical but nothing illegal, or do you believe that President Trump did not do anything wrong? Un- Not Illegal ethical Wrong DK/NA Nov 15, Aug 02, Jun 29, Jun 07, When it comes to some Trump campaign advisors' relationships with Russia, do you believe that: they did something illegal, they did something unethical but nothing illegal, or do you believe that they did not do anything wrong? Illegal 44% 10% 72% 44% 40% 48% 49% 30% Unethical/Not illegl Not anything wrong DK/NA Illegal 46% 46% 45% 43% 36% 41% 39% 68% 50% Unethical/Not illegl Not anything wrong DK/NA

15 TREND: When it comes to some Trump campaign advisors' relationships with Russia, do you believe that they did something illegal, they did something unethical but nothing illegal, or do you believe that they did not do anything wrong? Un- Not Illegal ethical Wrong DK/NA Nov 15, Jun 29, Jun 07, Do you think that President Trump has inappropriate financial ties to Russia, or not? Yes 49% 7% 82% 50% 43% 55% 48% 37% No DK/NA Yes 58% 50% 48% 45% 36% 47% 42% 75% 62% No DK/NA TREND: Do you think that President Trump has inappropriate financial ties to Russia, or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, Jun 29, Do you think that President Trump is taking the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election seriously enough, or not? Yes 40% 66% 19% 40% 46% 35% 45% 47% No DK/NA Yes 32% 42% 42% 42% 51% 42% 46% 16% 30% No DK/NA

16 TREND: Do you think that President Trump is taking the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election seriously enough, or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, Aug 02, Jun 29, Do you believe that President Trump has attempted to derail or obstruct the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election, or not? Yes 53% 12% 84% 55% 48% 57% 52% 40% No DK/NA Yes 60% 54% 49% 51% 41% 50% 45% 86% 60% No DK/NA TREND: Do you believe that President Trump has attempted to derail or obstruct the investigation into the Russian interference in the 2016 election, or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, Aug 24, Aug 16, Aug 02, Jun 29, Should President Trump be impeached and removed from office if he fires Special Counsel Robert Mueller, or not? Yes/Impeached 47% 7% 81% 47% 42% 52% 46% 33% No DK/NA Yes/Impeached 53% 49% 47% 45% 33% 45% 39% 77% 59% No DK/NA

17 57. Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? Support 60% 32% 83% 62% 50% 70% 62% 53% Oppose DK/NA Support 62% 60% 61% 61% 47% 67% 57% 78% 62% Oppose DK/NA Support 72% 54% 55% 65% 64% 66% 45% 45% Oppose DK/NA TREND: Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? Sup Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Jun 28, Link to full trend on website 58. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Support 95% 92% 98% 96% 92% 97% 95% 96% Oppose DK/NA Support 94% 96% 96% 93% 93% 98% 95% 95% 95% Oppose DK/NA Support 97% 93% 94% 96% 95% 96% 93% 94% Oppose DK/NA

18 TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Sup Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Jun 28, Link to full trend on website 59. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Support 65% 46% 84% 65% 52% 77% 69% 61% Oppose DK/NA Support 49% 61% 70% 77% 49% 78% 64% 75% 57% Oppose DK/NA Support 77% 56% 61% 70% 66% 72% 50% 51% Oppose DK/NA TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Supp Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Link to full trend on website 18

19 60. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of guns to people who have been convicted of violent crimes? Support 91% 91% 94% 91% 89% 94% 95% 92% Oppose DK/NA Support 87% 95% 93% 90% 90% 96% 94% 83% 91% Oppose DK/NA Support 94% 93% 88% 93% 92% 93% 88% 91% Oppose DK/NA TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of guns to people who have been convicted of violent crimes? Supp Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Do you support or oppose stricter regulations on ammunition sales? Support 62% 37% 88% 60% 51% 73% 63% 54% Oppose DK/NA Support 64% 62% 64% 61% 44% 70% 58% 82% 70% Oppose DK/NA Support 76% 51% 59% 67% 68% 66% 45% 45% Oppose DK/NA

20 TREND: Do you support or oppose stricter regulations on ammunition sales? Supp Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Do you support or oppose a ban on gun modifications that can make a semi-automatic gun work more like an automatic gun? Support 74% 63% 85% 75% 65% 81% 82% 68% Oppose DK/NA Support 69% 76% 78% 74% 67% 81% 75% 72% 71% Oppose DK/NA Support 81% 69% 70% 78% 71% 81% 67% 67% Oppose DK/NA TREND: Do you support or oppose a ban on gun modifications that can make a semi-automatic gun work more like an automatic gun? Supp Opp DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12,

21 63. Do you think it is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, too difficult to buy a gun in the U.S. today, or about right? Too easy 59% 32% 83% 58% 47% 70% 59% 50% Too difficult About right DK/NA Too easy 57% 59% 59% 65% 40% 67% 54% 82% 62% Too difficult About right DK/NA Too easy 67% 51% 58% 61% 62% 65% 42% 42% Too difficult About right DK/NA TREND: Do you think it is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, too difficult to buy a gun in the U.S. today, or about right? Too Too About Easy Diff Right DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Jun 28, Link to full trend on website 64. If more people carried guns, do you think the United States would be safer or less safe? Safer 37% 69% 12% 36% 47% 27% 34% 50% Less safe DK/NA Safer 38% 38% 38% 32% 53% 33% 42% 15% 32% Less safe DK/NA Safer 25% 44% 41% 33% 33% 31% 54% 52% Less safe DK/NA

22 TREND: If more people carried guns, do you think the United States would be safer or less safe? Less Safer Safe DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Jun 28, Link to full trend on website 65. Do you think Congress is doing enough to reduce gun violence or do you think Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence? Doing enough 23% 42% 7% 22% 29% 16% 25% 28% Do more DK/NA Doing enough 27% 21% 23% 19% 34% 20% 27% 4% 17% Do more DK/NA Doing enough 17% 28% 22% 22% 21% 18% 33% 33% Do more DK/NA TREND: Do you think Congress is doing enough to reduce gun violence or do you think Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence? Doing Do Enough More DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12,

23 66. Is being the victim of gun violence something you personally worry about or not? Yes/Worry 41% 27% 52% 39% 35% 46% 35% 34% No DK/NA Yes/Worry 43% 42% 40% 39% 28% 41% 34% 61% 49% No DK/NA Yes/Worry 40% 38% 43% 39% 45% 42% 32% 33% No DK/NA TREND: Is being the victim of gun violence something you personally worry about or not? Yes No DK/NA Nov 15, Oct 12, Is being the victim of a mass shooting something you personally worry about or not? Yes/Worry 40% 27% 55% 35% 30% 49% 33% 34% No DK/NA Yes/Worry 44% 40% 37% 40% 24% 43% 34% 60% 52% No DK/NA Yes/Worry 47% 34% 38% 42% 43% 41% 31% 31% No DK/NA

24 68. Which do you believe is a bigger cause of mass shootings: it is too easy to buy guns in the United States, or it is too difficult to get mental health care in the United States? Too easy to buy guns 37% 14% 62% 35% 32% 42% 38% 26% Too difficult to get mental health care DK/NA Too easy to buy guns 36% 35% 41% 40% 26% 37% 32% 68% 40% Too difficult to get mental health care DK/NA Too easy to buy guns 47% 32% 36% 36% 45% 38% 23% 23% Too difficult to get mental health care DK/NA When it comes to mass killings such as the shootings in Las Vegas and Texas, do you believe that stricter gun laws would help to prevent them from happening, or do you believe that the people responsible would find a way around gun laws and commit these crimes anyway? Would prevent 34% 7% 58% 34% 27% 41% 40% 24% Find way around laws DK/NA Would prevent 41% 35% 34% 30% 23% 38% 31% 46% 43% Find way around laws DK/NA Would prevent 43% 29% 29% 41% 37% 39% 23% 22% Find way around laws DK/NA