Partisanship does not robustly reduce support for gun control. The effect of identifying with the GOP is not constant across attitudes for multiple forms of gun control.pic.twitter.com/8NrDLToSOe
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Re: public opinion on gun control. I have a quick-hitter analysis on GSS data from 1972-2016 floating in the ether. Been meaning to submit it to PLOS ONE or similar outlet, but lack the money. Here's what we know:
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Also: most Republicans actually support gun control. Seriously! Even the self-identified "strong" Republicans. Don't confuse a negative effect of GOP partisanship on gun control as meaning "Republican voters oppose gun control."pic.twitter.com/RPdDEkinwR
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Related: even male, gun-owning self-identified "strong" Republicans still support gun control in 5 of 10 simulations in the data.pic.twitter.com/BChyTvlUF5
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Further: gun control isn't necessarily a partisan issue but it's quickly becoming one and did since Obama. You heard the dog whistles since 2008. You know the reasons why.pic.twitter.com/mh6fdhWZdu
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There's interesting regional variation too. Republicans in the Northeast are less likely to support gun control after 1994. Strong Democrats in the South became more supportive of gun control after 1994 as well.pic.twitter.com/8FSdh3h4S3
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If you want to see the highest political polarization on gun control, though, look west and not south.pic.twitter.com/DARFdJwrum
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A few implications from what the GSS data tell us on attitudes toward gun control. 1) we're not polarized on gun control but our leaders are. We elect shitty leaders and that's a major hurdle toward addressing this problem.
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2) That said, our mass public opinion is gradually conforming to the polarization of opinion at the elite-level. We'll collectively soon be part of the problem.
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3) Seriously, journalists, don't even miss an opportunity to drive this home. Your readers and 6 of 10 citizens generally want strong forms of gun control. Looking at you, New York Times.pic.twitter.com/TjiipnB8hj
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4) The GSS gun control measure is peculiar, but I think it signals something. It connects gun control to the police (i.e. requiring a police permit before owning a gun of any type). Yet, no policy discussion nationally dares touch this idea. Issue-linkage might be way forward.
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If this project interests you, let me know. Wouldn't mind having a co-author more proficient in literature on public opinion and gun control. Manuscript is already done (as short research note).
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End of conversation
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