Speaking during a campaign event hosted by the talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, Harris was addressing her efforts to cut down on violence and pass a new ban on assault-style weapons, when she referenced owning a handgun — surprising Winfrey.

At one point, she reminded the crowd she has a gun in her home and supports the Second Amendment. She followed up the statement laughing, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot. I probably should not have said that.

The vice president made a remark about the gun in her home that reflects changing patterns of ownership even as it offered a misunderstanding of the risks.