Washington, Apr 9 (IANS): President Barack Obama's approval rating has inched above the 50 percent mark, but it remains below that mark on three crucial issues - gun control, immigration reform and border security, and the budget, according to a new poll.

According to a CNN/ORC International poll released Monday, 51 percent of those surveyed said they approve of how Obama is handling his duties as president, with 47 percent saying they disapprove.

The president's approval rating is up four points from last month, but below his 55 percent high this year, recorded in mid-January just before his second inauguration, the poll noted.

But amid his push for Congress to act on legislation to reduce gun violence, only 45 percent of Americans approve of how Obama's handling gun policy, with 52 percent saying they disapprove, according to the poll.

In January, his approval/disapproval on the issue stood at 46 percent-49 percent.

On another contentious issue, immigration reform, 44 percent of Americans say they approve of how Obama's handling the issue, with half saying they disapprove.

With the White House set to release its budget for the next fiscal year Wednesday, just 38 percent say they approve of how Obama's handling the federal deficit, with nearly six in ten saying they disapprove, according to the poll.

This was the president's lowest score out of nine issues tested. His only net-positives are foreign affairs and policies toward gays and lesbians.

The survey indicates that male views of Obama have not changed at all since March, but the president's approval rating jumped seven points among women.

Historically, Obama's 51 percent approval rating is par for the course among second-term presidents, CNN said.

Four months after their second inaugurals, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon all had approval ratings within a couple of points of Obama's current mark.

Only Bill Clinton, with a 54 percent approval rating in April, 1997, had better numbers than Obama does today.