Texas Moms Demand Action Releases Poll That Shows A Majority of Texans Oppose Guns on Campus

The Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America today released a new poll conducted by Survey USA on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund showing that a majority of Texans oppose allowing guns on campus and at college sporting events, including majorities of self-identified Republicans, Independents, and gun owners.

The poll comes as the Texas Senate is scheduled to vote tomorrow on SB 11, a guns on campus bill that would force public universities to allow students, faculty, staff, and visitors to carry concealed handguns on public college campuses. The house companion version of the bill, HB 937, was discussed today at a meeting of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety.

Among the poll’s findings:

• 63% think college students should not be allowed to carry concealed handguns on campus
  
• 72% think college students should not be allowed to bring concealed handguns to class
  
• 75% think people should not be allowed to carry concealed handguns at college sporting events
  
• 66% think college students should not be allowed to carry concealed handguns in student dormitories

“The poll shows what we already knew—a majority of college stakeholders from across the ideological spectrum, including students, do not want guns on their campuses, in their dorm rooms, or at their sporting events,” said Sandy Chasse, a university language instructor a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “College-aged students are at a higher risk for being both perpetrators and victims of gun crimes and for many students, college life includes heavy drug and alcohol use, and everyone knows that guns and substance abuse don’t mix. I urge our lawmakers to pay attention to what the students and the university communities are saying and oppose guns on campus.”

“I speak as someone who has a personal connection to gun violence and as a student at the University of Texas when I say that I sincerely hope that our lawmakers will see these poll results for what they are—common sense,” said Danielle Vabner, UT-Austin junior and sister of Noah Pozner who was shot and killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. “I implore our Texas legislators to listen to my fellow students and me when we say we don’t want guns on our campus, at our sporting events, or in our dorm rooms. Please prioritize our safety and interests ahead of those of the gun lobby or other petty politics.”