Editor’s Note: As the NewsHour has reported, Georgia’s expansive new gun law has been lauded by the National Rifle Association as “the most comprehensive pro-gun reform bill in state history,” and opposed widely by gun control advocates as the “guns everywhere” law. But the first poll taken since the Safe Carry Protection Act was signed into law found some surprising results.

ATLANTA — A new poll shows Georgia voters disapprove of the state’s new gun law, despite being more likely to own guns or believing gun ownership helps protect people.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents gave H.B. 60, or the Safe Carry Protection Act, a thumbs down, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll conducted by SRBI of New York. The bill will allow licensed gun owners to carry firearms in many churches, bars, and government buildings. It will also allow military men and women age 18 and older permission to obtain a license to carry a firearm. Under current law, applicants must be at least 21 years old to be granted a gun permit.

Fifty-seven percent of Georgia voters said they believe owning a gun helps protect people from crime. A majority of the people polled — 55 percent — say they or someone they live with owns a gun. Only 35 percent said gun ownership puts people’s safety at risk.

The law goes into effect July 1.

The poll surveyed 1,012 adults statewide between May 5 and May 8.

This post originally appeared on GPB’s website on May 12.