Disclosed is a paper feeding mechanism making it possible to reliably prevent deflection of the paper feeding roller and perform a stable paper feeding free from feeding deviation even when the paper feeding roller is formed as an elongated member. There is arranged a paper feeding roller and a plurality of press contact rollers held in press contact with the paper feeding roller, and there is arranged on the opposite side of the press contact rollers with respect to the paper feeding roller a support block which is held in contact with the peripheral surface of the paper feeding roller to support the paper feeding roller.