Ethics Newsline®

Public Agrees with Second Amendment Supreme Court Ruling: Poll

Jun 30th, 2008 • Posted in: Research Report

But majority of U.S. public also ‘favors stricter laws relating to the control of hand guns’

From Harris Interactive:

“The United States Supreme Court today reversed Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns, ruling that the Second Amendment does protect an individual’s right to own a handgun….

“When 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 just answered, we found:

“By 41 percent to 17 percent, a two to one plurality believes that the Second Amendment supports an individual’s right to bear arms agreeing with the Supreme Court….
“By political party affiliation, Republicans by 51 percent to 9 percent believe the Second Amendment supports individuals’ right to bear arms. Democrats also agree, though by a closer 41 percent to 22 percent margin;
“Independents are even more closely divided with 31 percent to 22 percent thinking that the Amendment supports and individuals’ right to bear arms.

“And with regard to gun control:

“A relative majority of U.S. adults – 49 percent – favor stricter gun control with 20 percent wanting less strict gun control and 21 percent wanting no change;
“By 54 percent to 18 percent a majority favors stricter laws relating to the control of hand guns and another 18 percent want no change..

“So What?

“Even though the U.S. Supreme Court has issued its decision, the debate over guns in this country is far from over. While Americans are more likely to believe the Second Amendment does protect an individual’s right to bear arms, they also do favor stricter gun control….”