http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080626/20080626005772.html?.v=1 Press Release Source: Harris Interactive Second Amendment Supreme Court Ruling Matches With Public Opinion From The Harris Poll Thursday June 26, 11:23 am ET ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. The Harris PollŽ finds that by a margin of over two to one, U.S. adults agree with the Supreme Court and believe that the Second Amendment supports an individual's right to bear arms. These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,602 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris InteractiveŽ between May 5 and 12, 2008. 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. Interestingly, almost three in ten (29%) feel the Amendment supports both and 5 percent say neither; * 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 an 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. Now that this ruling has been announced, this may become an issue for the two presidential candidates to address. Methodology This Harris PollŽ 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. Full data tables and methodology for this study can be found 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 Contact: Harris Interactive Tracey McNerney, 585-214-7756 press@harrisinteractive.net Source: Harris Interactive