By Brenden Boudreau
Public opinion polling on gun control is often presented as an objective measure of what Americans believe about firearm regulations. However, the reality is far different. As the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) has demonstrated, the way questions are framed can dramatically alter responses, skewing results in favor of gun control policies. The Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston is the latest to fall into this trap, with a recent survey that misleads Texans into appearing more supportive of restrictive gun measures than they actually are.
How Question Phrasing Skews Results
In July 2023, the CPRC published an analysis comparing NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll questions to their own alternative wording. Their findings were striking. For instance, when respondents were asked if it was more important to “protect gun rights” or “control gun violence,” 60% said they favored controlling gun violence. However, when the CPRC asked a functionally equivalent but more balanced question—whether reducing violent crime is better achieved through “enacting stricter gun laws” or “allowing people to protect themselves with guns”—the responses were nearly evenly split.
This effect is apparent throughout gun control polling, and the Hobby School of Public Affairs poll is no exception.
Hobby School Poll: Framing Gun Control to Produce Desired Results
The Hobby School survey claims overwhelming support for gun control measures in Texas, but the phrasing of their questions all but guarantees that outcome. For example, one question asked whether respondents support banning gun ownership for people under restraining orders for domestic violence or stalking. Predictably, the poll reported 90% support. But this is misleading—almost no one opposes keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. The real debate is about how these orders are issued, whether they require due process, and if they are sometimes abused in domestic disputes. A fair question would have provided context, such as: “Should firearm rights be removed without a trial based on restraining orders, or should a court ruling be required before taking away someone’s Second Amendment rights?” The results would likely be far different.
Similarly, the Hobby School poll asks if respondents support raising the age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle from 18 to 21. But rather than acknowledging that 18-year-olds are legally considered adults—eligible to serve in the military, vote, and enter contracts—the question is framed to make firearm ownership seem unreasonable for young adults. A better alternative would be: “Should 18-year-olds who can serve in the military, vote, and sign legal contracts be allowed to purchase firearms, or should the age requirement be raised?” This phrasing ensures respondents consider the broader implications of such restrictions.
Why Balanced Questioning Matters
The goal of public opinion polling should be to gauge honest sentiment, not manufacture support for policy agendas. The CPRC’s work has shown that minor wording adjustments can significantly shift polling results. When people are presented with gun control measures in a vacuum—without considering trade-offs, constitutional rights, or alternative safety measures—they will often express support. But when they are asked to weigh those measures against self-defense rights or government overreach, the numbers change dramatically.
The Hobby School of Public Affairs poll does not offer this balance. Instead, it presents gun control policies as common-sense measures without any acknowledgment of counterarguments. This practice distorts public opinion and misleads lawmakers into believing Texans overwhelmingly support increased restrictions when, in reality, the issue is far more contested.
The Reality of Texas Gun Policy Preferences
Texans have historically supported Second Amendment rights, and despite repeated attempts to manufacture consent for stricter laws through biased polling, the reality remains unchanged. When questions are asked fairly—when respondents are given a full picture of the issue, rather than a one-sided perspective—support for gun control plummets.
If the Hobby School truly wanted to measure Texas voters’ opinions on gun laws, they would take a lesson from the CPRC and craft questions that don’t push an agenda. Until then, their poll results should be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism.
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