A new poll out from Public Policy Polling shows the N.R.A has seen a 10-point drop in popularity since Wayne LaPierre's Dec. 21 press conference responding to the tragic Newtown, Ct., school shooting.
The organization now has a negative favorability rating, with 45% of voters viewing it negatively and only 42% viewing it positively. That's down from a 48% positive and 41% negative image before the press conference.
The proposal to put an armed officer in every American school may be to blame for the drop. Only four in 10 voters support the idea to put "good guys with guns" in schools to help combat against potential "bad guys with guns," while 50% oppose the plan. Nearly two thirds of voters disapprove of the plan to arm teachers, with only 27% supporting the plan.
Overall voters prefer stricter gun laws by a 13-point margin.
The N.R.A. may have an opportunity to improve its public image this week, as it is set to send a representative into a high profile White House meeting on gun violence. James J. Baker, the director of federal relations for the group's lobbying wing, is scheduled to attend the meeting with Vice President Joe Biden.
Earlier today Biden spoke optimistically and openly about tomorrow's meeting, "I want it clear to the American public that on behalf of the president, we're reaching out to all parties on whatever side of this debate you fall."
"The president is going to act. There are executive orders, executive action that can be taken," Biden said. "We haven't decided what that is yet, but we're compiling it all with the help of the attorney general and all the rest of the cabinet members, as well as legislative action we believe is required."