FINAL REPORT 2009 Study of Impact of New Legislation on Attitudes and Behavior of Tennessee Voters Prepared by: December 11, 2009

Dan Prince President Sara Dailey Research Manager Prince Market Research st Avenue North Nashville, TN Toll Free: Phone: Fax:

2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 3 Table of Contents I.Overall Summary Research Sponsor Research Purpose Research Methodology Key Findings II. Appendix

4 I. Overall Summary 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

5 Research Sponsor: Tennessee Hospitality Association The Tennessee Hospitality Association (TnHA) represents the interests of Tennessees lodging and dining establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality industry TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

6 Research Purpose The overall purpose of this research project is to objectively determine how registered voters across the state feel about the idea that people are now allowed to carry permitted hand guns into restaurants that serve alcohol TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

7 Research Methodology Prince Market Research (PMR), an independent market research firm, collaborated with TN Hospitality Association (TnHA) to develop the questionnaire, which contained a total of 21 questions. PMR conducted a total of 812 telephone interviews. The phone survey launched on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 to a randomized sample of listed households in the state of Tennessee. The survey was closed Thursday, November 12, The sponsor of the research was not revealed. No incentive was offered to participate. Each survey lasted about 5 minutes. The margin of error for the full sample (n=812) is +/-3.5% TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

8 Key Findings 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

9 Awareness and Attitudes

Nearly three-fourths are aware of the new law that allows guns in bars. A new TN law now allows anyone with a permit to carry their hand gun, to take that gun into any restaurant in the state that serves alcohol. This includes all restaurants and bars that serve any type of alcoholic beverages, wine, or beer. Restaurants must allow this unless they post a sign explicitly stating that they do NOT allow guns on the property. Prior to this call, were you: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Awareness of the law is high among all of these sub-groups TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 11

Awareness of the law is high among all of these sub-groups TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 12

Two-thirds think the new law is a bad idea. Overall, do you feel that the idea of allowing anyone with a permit to carry a hand gun into a restaurant that serves alcohol is generally a good idea or a bad idea? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

62% of NRA members think this law is a good idea, while 70% of non-NRA members think its a bad idea TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 14

Each subgroup had a majority of respondents saying this law is a bad idea TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 15

81% felt safe in these establishments before the new law; 39% said they feel less safe there now. Before this law was passed, would you say that you felt safe or unsafe going into restaurants you visit in TN that serve alcohol? 16 Knowing that anyone with a permit may now carry a hand gun into these same restaurants, do you feel more safe, less safe, or no different? 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

A large majority within each of these subgroups said they felt safe before the new law TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 17

A large majority within each of these subgroups said they felt safe before the new law TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 18

Fewer than 40% of gun groups/permit holders said they feel safer now; 15% actually feel less safe now TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 19

56% of Democrats and 50% of women said they feel less safe now TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 20

Most respondents favor opt-in (61%) rather than opt-out (25%) legislation on this matter. Regarding the law that allows handguns in restaurants serving alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine, do you think: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

While NRA/TFA members favored opt-out by a 2:1 margin, gun/carry permit holders were more split TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 22

All political, age, and gender subgroups strongly favored the opt-in (rather than opt-out) position TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 23

A majority of people feel property owners should have the choice to allow or not allow handguns. This new law may put the rights of gun owners at odds with the rights of property owners. Which of the following two statements do you agree with more: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

One issue where all sides seem to agree: Rights of property owners trump those of gun owners TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 25

One issue where all sides seem to agree: Rights of property owners trump those of gun owners TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 26

People are 5 times as likely to visit a restaurant that does not allow guns vs. one that does. Which of the following would you personally be more likely to do: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Fewer than half of gun groups/licensees said they are more likely to visit places that allow guns TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 28

Only 10% of Republicans and 15% of Ind. said they are more likely to visit places that allow guns TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 29

If your elected representative voted for this guns in bars legislation – that is, they voted to allow guns in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol – would this make you: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 43% said they are less likely to vote for someone that voted for this legislation; 14% are more likely.

2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 31 38% of carry permit holders are more likely to vote for a supporter of this; 14% are actually less likely.

2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 32 Regardless of party, results indicate that supporters are likely to lose more voters than they gain.

Nearly one-half (44%) think this new law is bad for the states image; 47% say it will have no effect. What impact, if any, do you think this new law will have on the image of TN among people in other parts of the country? Do you think allowing permitted hand guns in restaurants here that serve alcohol will be: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

25% of NRA and TFA members say this will be good for the states image; 6-17% say it will be bad TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 34

Republicans are 3X more likely to say this is bad for the states image (34%) than say its good (10%) TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 35

One-third think that this new law will be bad for tourism; 64% say it will have no effect. What impact, if any, do you think this new law will have on tourism in TN among people in other parts of the country? Do you think allowing permitted hand guns in restaurants here that serve alcohol will be: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Most NRA and TFA members, permit holders and licensees see no effect on tourism TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 37

48% of Democrats and 39% of Women think this will be bad for tourism in Tennessee TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 38

39 Respondent Demographics

The sample was relatively evenly split between Republicans (30%), Democrats (27%) and Ind. (23%). Do you consider yourself to be a: TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Nearly one-half (48%) of respondents have or have had a license to hunt and fish in Tennessee. Do you have, or have ever had a license to hunt and fish in Tennessee? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Less than 1 out of 10 respondents are members of either the NRA or TN Firearms Association. National Rifle Association TN Firearms Association 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 42

Just 14% of all respondents have a hand gun carry permit. Do you currently have a hand gun carry permit? 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research 43

Over three-fourths of the respondents surveyed are 46 and older. Could you please tell me which of the following categories includes your age? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Two-thirds (67%) of respondents have some type of post-High School education. Which of the following best describes your formal education? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Of those respondents who participated in the survey, over three-fourths are White/Caucasian. Which of the following best describes your formal education? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

Three-fourths of those interviewed are female and one-fourth male. Gender? TnHA Survey Prince Market Research

48 II. Appendix 2009 TnHA Survey Prince Market Research