Texans Love Gun Control?

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Several polling groups are reporting 30-50 point swings in Texans support for various gun control proposals in the last six years. These polls would have you believe that gun control is supported by 58% of Texas Republican voters and almost 80% of all voters.

These same polls reported post-Sandy Hook that only 48% of all Texans supported extending background checks. I’m skeptical actual public opinion has shifted to that degree. It makes me think we are either seeing push-polling or these companies have financial incentives to please other customers (*cough* Bloomberg *cough*) and are neglecting their duties to the other customers who have hired them.

In any case, you can see the results at the governmental level in both the state committee hearings on gun control, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s sudden support of background checks for private sales/registration, and Sen. Cornyn’s endless promotion of the “Fix NICS Act” in the run up to his 2020 elections.

Regardless, 2020 is looking like it will sort the true believers from the panderers.

 

[USNRet93]

Several polling groups are reporting 30-50 point swings in Texans support for various gun control proposals in the last six years. These polls would have you believe that gun control is supported by 58% of Texas Republican voters and almost 80% of all voters.

These same polls reported post-Sandy Hook that only 48% of all Texans supported extending background checks. I’m skeptical actual public opinion has shifted to that degree. It makes me think we are either seeing push-polling or these companies have financial incentives to please other customers (*cough* Bloomberg *cough*) and are neglecting their duties to the other customers who have hired them.

In any case, you can see the results at the governmental level in both the state committee hearings on gun control, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s sudden support of background checks for private sales/registration, and Sen. Cornyn’s endless promotion of the “Fix NICS Act” in the run up to his 2020 elections.

Regardless, 2020 is looking like it will sort the true believers from the panderers.

The only 'poll' that really measures anything is the one in the ballot box. today-GOP Gov., GOP LT Gov., GOP majority in both houses(Senate-19/12...House-82/65), been that way 13 and 17 years respectively.

Vote early and vote often.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Yes, and previous to those 13 and 17 years, the Texas legislature was majority Democrat from 1865-2000. No doubt based on the Democrats’ historical support for civil rights of minorities.

 

[raimius]

Sen Cornyn seems to usually fall on the pro-2A side. FixNICS actually seems to have done some good in getting more accurate records into NICS. Hopefully, that kind of thing can slow/stop bad guys like the Southerland Church shooter (prohibited from Air Force conviction, but never added to the database, so he bought the guns he used after being convicted).

 

[Onward Allusion]

Poll, eh? Tell that to HRC.

I've come to realize that most polls mean squat. It's in the way the questions are framed. Nothing like damn statistics. I hate stats and the people who collect 'em. This is coming from a guy with a Masters in bean counting!

 

[Tom Servo]

I'd have to see the actual data to form an opinion. There are numerous factors that can affect the outcome:

• who was polled
• the exact wording of the questions
• how the responses were weighted and extrapolated

For example, we had a poll in one of the Atlanta newspapers that claimed a 90% approval rate for "universal" background checks. As it turns out, the question was, "background checks prevent crime. Would you support expanding background checks to include unregistered purchases made at gun shows?"

The question is leading, it's based on a fake assumption, and it's asked in poor faith. The gun control lobby is very good at sneaky stuff like that.

 

[BarryLee]

Recently I read an opinion piece in I believe the WSJ. The author made the point that more and more voters are no longer basing their choices on the actual issues, but more on what they referred to as "tribalism".

We often make note of the dishonesty of the anti-gun lobby and how most Americans still support personal freedom, but while this may still be true are people changing the way they vote. In other words look at the current POTUS who, with the exception of his buffoonery, has done a decent job. However, almost half of the country disapproves. This isn't based on the actual performance, but on how people see themselves and how they perceive other groups.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Op is correct TX has been slowly going towards the path CA and WA did.

I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying the opposite - that someone is trying to sell that story but I don’t believe it is true.

 

[TXAZ]

As earlier mentioned, polls are often setup to “confirm “ a pre-dispositioned fact”.

Here’s the bottom line from an old Texan:


Gun Control in Texas means hitting your target.
“ “Tighter” Gun Control “ in Texas means being able to select hitting the left eye or right eye at 300+ yards.

Any questions?

 

[Aguila Blanca]

However, almost half of the country disapproves. This isn't based on the actual performance, but on how people see themselves and how they perceive other groups.

Even Obama's approval ratings hovered around 50%, at times dipping into the 40s. And his disapproval ratings were usually in the 40s, with the uppser 40s probably qualifying as "almost half the country."

https://news.gallup.com/poll/116479/barack-obama-presidential-job-approval.aspx

 

[Tom Servo]

Even Obama's approval ratings hovered around 50%, at times dipping into the 40s.

And those are pretty much average numbers for a sitting President. The media makes it front-page news if his approval rating drops 2 points over something transitory, but the numbers just don't mean much.

 

[Spats McGee]

The problem is multifold:
1. There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. (Benjamin Disraeli)
2. Once a statistic takes hold in the media, it gets recirculated for years, sometimes decades, no matter how well or how many times it's refuted.
3. Politicians, being what they are, pass laws based on statistics. Those laws are then damned hard to get repealed.

 

[USNRet93]

Its either Texans love gun control or the election results should be looked into. if people aren't getting what they voted for them there is some discrepancies somewhere.

You vote for somebody and often(most of the time?), their decisions and votes are then based on $, lobbying, special interest groups..NOT 'main street'...The 'discrepancies' rest with politicians being 'politicians', more concerned about their next election than representing their constituents. If they aren't doing it...then vote 'em out.

 

[zxcvbob]

Texans have always embraced gun control. What else could this flag (1835) possibly mean?

To the original post, I bet somebody either completely lied about that supposed survey, or it was a push poll. ("Do you think felons convicted of a violent crime like murder or armed robbery should be able to buy guns?")

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

We’ve updated that flag to suit modern sensibilities...

 

[dfwkid]

As a native Texan (endangered species) I doubt the veracity of those polls. Polls, in general, are too easily loaded. Often they include more anti gunners (democrats) than republicans or independents. I do worry about Dan Patrick's promulgation of UBC which requires registration. That is anathema to the Texas gun owner. He might as well be pushing a state income tax.