Gun Control

• Mass Shootings - Drug Use (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Drug use "

• Mass Shootings - Violence in Media (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Violence in movies, video games, music lyrics "

• Mass Shootings - Extremist Points of View (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Spread of extremist points of view on the internet"

• Mass Shootings - Insufficient Public Security (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Insufficient security at public buildings including businesses and schools"

• Mass Shootings - Inflammatory Language From Prominent Political Commentators (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Inflammatory language from prominent political commentators"

• Mass Shootings - Unstable Family Situations (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Unstable family situations"

• Mass Shootings - Media Attention Given to Perpetrators of Mass Shootings (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings? - Media attention given to perpetrators of mass shootings"

• Factor Most to Blame for Mass Shootings (November 2015)

  Respondents were asked, "And which of the following factors is most to blame for the shootings?" Response options were randomized.

• Texas Data Points from the Week in Politics (October 16)

  October 16, 2015 | By: James Henson, PhD, Joshua Blank, PhD

  The era of “what, me worry?” when it comes to the effects of the oil boom came closer to the end this week with the comptroller’s downward revision of his revenue estimates, a revision based largely on the effects of the collapse in oil prices. The Lt. Governor followed with his serial interim charge announcements calling for “options to further reduce the tax burden on property owners.”  On the national stage, the vacuum created by the recognition that being Speaker of the U.S. House is a one-way ticket out of electoral politics led some GOP members to launch trial balloons. Meanwhile, over in the Democratic Presidential nomination race, Hillary Clinton reminded Democratic voters that she’s the pro in the race with a mostly sharp, funny performance that also showed her shrewdness by effortlessly getting to Bernie Sanders’ left on guns. Speaking of guns, the media was buzzing – and in some cases seemingly altering their policy on language appropriate for family newspapers – with the announcement by some activists at UT-Austin of a protest against the new campus carry law that will involve the open carry of dildos.

• Public Opinion Annotations on the Texas Senate's Interim Charges

  October 12, 2015 | By: James Henson, PhD, Joshua Blank, PhD

  Lt. Governor Patrick's interim charges represent a potpourri of issues ranging from the unsung operational stuff of government to the more provocative issues that rouse the GOP's voting base. University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polling suggests that the GOP primary electorate is much less interested in the details of issues like water and electricity than they are in issues like immigration, border security, and the vociferous protection and expansion of gun rights.