Posted on 06/03/2008 10:45:42 AM PDT by neverdem
However, Public Still Favors Stricter Gun Control
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning the Second Amendment expected at some point this month, The Harris Poll® finds that by a margin of over two to one, more U.S. adults believe that the Second Amendment supports an individual’s right to bear arms. Furthermore, the survey also finds that more of the U.S. public continues to favor stricter gun control. However, concerning the impact on the election, the public seems to be split on which presidential candidate would do a better job handling gun control.
These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,602 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive® between May 5 and 12, 2008.
In the next few weeks the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide D.C. v. Heller, which concerns whether the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The question that the Supreme Court will be answering is whether the Second Amendment actually provides an individual with the right to own a gun or whether it provides the state the ability to form a militia.
The Harris Poll showed wording from the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to the survey’s sample and asked whether U.S. adults think the Second Amendment supports an individual’s right to bear arms or a state’s right to form a militia, the same question the Supreme Court will be answering this month. The Poll found:
And with regard to gun control:
2008 Presidential Campaign
Concerning the three major candidates – John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama – the public is split on which individual would do a good job in handling the gun control issue if elected president:
So What?
Even though many U.S. adults believe the Second Amendment does support an individual’s right to bear arms, the public does not feel this right should be achieved without some gun control. Many U.S. adults still favor stricter gun control, although for the first time in 10 years, this is not a majority. The candidates have not yet made any major policy statements concerning gun control, which is one reason so many are not sure about how they would handle the issue if elected. However, once the U.S. Supreme Court rules, the candidates may be forced to give their opinion and gun control could become an issue in the general election.
Methodology
The Harris Poll® was conducted online within the United States May 5 and 12, 2008, among 2,602 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. A full methodology and data tables are available at www.harrisinteractive.com.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
J34157
Q806, 810, 815, 820
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
Harris Interactive Inc. 6/08
Oh, really? VPC and the Brady kids have been saying it's 70% in favor for, oh, how long now?
You have to understand that doesn't matter to the fourth estate/fifth column. If the Supreme Court rules using strict scrutiny that it is an individual right, the drive by media will go crazy with "blood in the streets" stories. The gun grabbers will try to infringe in other ways, e.g. restrictions on ammo sales, gun show "loophole", etc.
Was trying to make sense of the stmt
‘Even though many U.S. adults believe the Second Amendment
does support an individuals right to bear arms, the public
does not feel this right should be achieved without some
gun control.’
and the words of my FIL came to mind. He thinks he should be allowed b/c theres no trust issue but his neighbors...well they’re all suspect and should be reined in. Yes, he of the Royal We party.
Agreed. My hope is that the Supreme Court is wise enough to consider these additional attacks that may come in future years and make a strong ruling that addresses at least some of the other attacks such as ammo taxes as well. I guess they can do that? I hope?
In any event, considering what we may be facing soon, we need the strongest Pro 2nd Amendment ruling possible.
“I think even the most basic question was not answered. The second amendment provides nothing. The Constitution does not grant rights, it sets limitations on the government with respect to our rights.”
BINGO!!! You’ve got the right answer!
The Bill of Rights enumerates (or affirms) rights that are ENDOWED BY OUR CREATOR.
“Thwe women of my country learned long ago that those without swords may still die upon them.”
Eowyn - Lord of the Rings.
The majority of Americans can’t locate America on a map.
Sorry, didn’t read down to your post.
It's not 'or', it's both. There is a semicolon between the two clauses indicating they are independent clauses, not either being dependent on each other.
And with regard to gun control:
- A relative majority of U.S. adults 49 percent
Okay, since when is 49% a "Majority"? Even with new math (sarc) it still take OVER 50% to have a "majority". The word they want is Plurality. Do they assume their readers are to STOO-PID to understand that word?
In any case this poll means squat. There's more to the 2nd Amendment than just what's written, to wit...
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Case closed!
oops, almost forgot... You, yeah you 'public officers' - Like Bloomie, Di-fi and Chuckie Shooooooomer, per the honorable George Mason you have NO RIGHT to own a gun, hand em in pronto 'public officers'. You have till midnight to disarm!
Wearing a gun should be regarded like wearing a watch. Some do, some don’t. Gun control? Outlaw crime!
Many soldiers were given their "militia supply" guns "as gifts" (a sort of pay) after the revolutionary war ended. I have a copy of a letter (GWashington I believe) and it is very explicit.
Had it been that only militias were to have arms...they would have been returned to the "militia supply".
Difficult to square with the fact that about seven or eight years ago he tried to put an end to gun shows.
Didn’t hear of this. Do tell more.
Training and practice are critical!
Through 1998, McCain had a strong pro-gun voting record in Congress. In May 1999, McCain voted in favor of an NRA-supported provision that encouraged, but did not force, small-scale gun collectors who sell firearms occasionally at gun shows to run background checks on customers. The next day, however, McCain led several Republican senators into Trent Lott's office and demanded that the vote be reversed.
That was unknown to me, and it doesn't speak well of McCain.
Thanks for the insight.
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