Majority in U.S. Favors Stricter Gun Contro

[struggle4progress]

These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,408 adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between May 10 and 17, 2004.
The main findings of the survey are:

* A modest 52% majority favors stricter gun control, with 22% wanting less strict control and 20% wanting no change.

* A slightly larger 57% majority favors stricter laws relating to the control of handguns, with 18% favoring less strict laws and 19% wanting no change.

* By 29% to 25% a modest plurality thinks President George Bush would be better on the gun control issue than Senator John Kerry, but 22% see no difference, and 24% are not sure.

* Small and equal proportions (23%) prefer a Republican-controlled and a Democratically-controlled Congress on the gun control issue. Most people see no difference (31%) or are not sure (24%).

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-16-2004/0002194814&EDATE=

[alexwcovington]

1. So?

???

[struggle4progress]

4. Article suggests issue can't help Dems

I don't know anything about the source but am interested in reactions.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. .

[billbuckhead]

3. No question about the AWB?

Not much of a poll.

[CaliforniaLady]

5. Stupid poll and stupid conclusions

Kerry took time out from his campaign to be in the Senate to vote against gun legislation. So, clearly, Kerry is the stronger on gun control.

[DavidMS]

6. Gun control as an issue is slightly too obscure to properly poll on

Without explaining local, state and federal laws and adjusting for state/town differences (different laws) I do not feel such surveys mean very much.

For instance (no need to raise your hands):

Who knows the difference between an "assault gun," "assault rifle" and an "assault weapon" and the restrictions on ownership of each.

Or ask is their a connection between gun control and crime and what is it?

Or ask if socioeconomic factors influence crime more than weapon laws?

What do people mean when they say more gun control? What do people mean when they say less?

When people say more do they mean banning UZIs? (BTW its already done) or do they mean deer rifles?

When people say less gun control are they taking issue with the 1989 import ban or with the 1994 crime bill ban?

I believe that many people do not know enough about curent laws to answer intelligently.