74% Of Texas Voters Oppose Handguns With No License Or Training, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; 51% Say OK To Require Hospital Employees To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
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One week after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law allowing Texans to carry unlicensed handguns, voters say 74 - 24 percent that they oppose allowing anyone 21 years of age or older to carry handguns without a license or training, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University poll of Texas registered voters released today.
Democrats oppose this 94 - 6 percent, independents oppose this 73 - 26 percent, and Republicans oppose this 58 - 36 percent.
"'No training, no license... no way,' say Texans in a direct rebuke to a new law that would allow residents over 21 few restrictions on ownership of firearms," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
By an overwhelming majority, voters in Texas say 90 - 8 percent that they support background checks for all gun buyers.
Voters are split about the level of difficulty of buying a gun in Texas, with 46 percent saying it is too easy and 46 percent saying it's about right. Only 4 percent say it's too difficult to buy a gun in Texas.
When it comes to assault weapons, a majority (52 - 44 percent) oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons.
A majority of Texas voters say 56 - 42 percent that they do not think stricter gun laws would help to decrease the number of mass shootings. This compares to a 2019 survey when voters said 50 - 45 percent they did not think stricter gun laws would help decrease the number of mass shootings.
ABORTION
Voters say 49 - 42 percent that they oppose banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which is usually around 6 weeks of pregnancy, and 10 percent did not offer an opinion. Democrats oppose the ban 65 - 25 percent, independents oppose the ban 54 - 37 percent, and Republicans support the ban 63 - 32 percent.
A majority of voters in Texas say 58 - 35 percent that they agree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion.
Asked to imagine if Roe v. Wade is overturned and the issue of abortion is left up to the states, voters shared whether they thought abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases in Texas. A majority (55 percent) say it should be legal in either all cases (23 percent) or legal in most cases (32 percent). Nearly four in ten (39 percent) say abortions should be illegal in most cases (29 percent) or in all cases (10 percent). These findings are similar to other Quinnipiac University Texas polls since 2018.
"It's a deeply emotional, often discussed hypothetical. If abortion was outlawed and left up to the states, what would Texans want? This survey says the right to choose would stay on solid ground," added Malloy.
REPUBLICAN ELECTION BILL
As a Republican election bill in Texas has gained widespread attention, roughly 6 in 10 voters (62 percent) say they have heard or read a lot (33 percent) or some (29 percent) about the bill that would change the way Texans are allowed to vote. Nearly 4 in 10 voters (37 percent) say they have heard or read not too much (13 percent) or not much at all (24 percent) about the bill.
Asked whether or not voters approve or disapprove of the Republican election bill, 41 percent say they disapprove, 35 percent say they approve, and 24 percent did not offer an opinion.
Voters were asked whether stricter voting laws are necessary in Texas. Half of voters (50 percent) say it is not necessary to pass stricter voting laws because elections in Texas are already secure, and 45 percent say it is necessary to pass stricter voting laws to protect election integrity.
Voters are split on whether the Republican election bill would make it harder for people of color to vote, as 44 percent say it would, 42 percent say it would not, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion.
Asked about the 2020 presidential election, a majority of voters in Texas say 55 - 42 percent that they do not believe there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Democrats say 89 - 11 percent and independents say 61 - 35 percent there was no widespread fraud. Republicans say 79 - 18 percent that they believe there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. These findings among party groups are similar to results in national polls posing the same question.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
The following section includes the views of adults in Texas, not just registered voters.
More than two-thirds of adults in Texas (68 percent) say they've either received or are planning to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Close to 3 in 10 adults (29 percent) say they do not plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
There are sharp differences among political parties. Among Republicans, 45 percent say they do not plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Among independents, that number is 28 percent. Among Democrats, it is 13 percent.
In the same week that workers at a Houston hospital either resigned or were fired for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Texans weighed in about COVID-19 vaccination mandates in hospitals. Just over half of Texans say 51 - 45 percent that they think hospitals should be allowed to require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
"Should the folks on the front lines be forced to get vaxed before putting on their scrubs or reporting to work at Texas hospitals? A slight majority of fellow Texans, the people they are committed to treating, say yes," said Malloy.
Two-thirds of Texans say 66 - 30 percent that businesses should not be allowed to require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from their customers.
However, a majority say 57 - 40 percent that cruise lines should be allowed to require proof of a COVID- 19 vaccination from their passengers.
A slim majority say 51 - 45 percent that public schools should be allowed to require mask wearing.
"Caution is still the watchword when it comes to proof of vaccination on cruises and masking in schools, but the message to Texas merchants and businesses from fellow Texans is: stand down and welcome us back," added Malloy.
1,223 Texas adults were surveyed from June 15th - 21st, including 1,099 Texas registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points for adults and +/- 3.0 percentage points for registered voters.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll
Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 29. How much have you heard or read about a Republican election bill that would change the way Texans are allowed to vote: a lot, some, not too much, or not much at all?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No A lot 33% 31% 40% 32% 34% 32% 36% 29% Some 29 30 24 29 30 27 36 26 Not too much 13 13 10 17 11 15 10 15 Not much at all 24 24 26 21 25 24 17 28 DK/NA 1 2 - - - 1 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 13% 33% 41% 46% 32% 30% 31% 39% 33% Some 28 32 30 24 32 29 30 28 28 Not too much 25 11 8 10 10 16 13 11 14 Not much at all 35 25 20 17 25 23 24 21 25 DK/NA - - 1 3 1 3 2 - - -
Question 30. Do you approve or disapprove of this Republican election bill?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 35% 63% 9% 31% 44% 27% 37% 39% Disapprove 41 9 81 41 32 49 39 26 DK/NA 24 29 10 28 24 24 25 35 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 22% 35% 42% 34% 46% 31% 38% 14% 36% Disapprove 48 38 41 43 26 36 31 77 46 DK/NA 30 26 17 23 29 33 31 9 18 HEARD ELECTION BILL Q29 ALot Some Approve 44% 45% Disapprove 53 42 DK/NA 3 13 -
Question 31. Do you think this Republican election bill would make it harder for people of color to vote, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 44% 10% 83% 47% 33% 54% 39% 24% No 42 76 10 36 51 33 48 57 DK/NA 14 15 7 17 16 13 13 19 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 53% 41% 42% 48% 26% 34% 30% 86% 52% No 26 45 49 41 60 47 53 10 33 DK/NA 21 15 9 11 14 19 17 4 15 HEARD ELECTION BILL Q29 ALot Some Yes 56% 45% No 42 49 DK/NA 2 6 -
Question 32. Do you believe there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Believe 42% 79% 11% 35% 47% 38% 45% 63% No 55 18 89 61 50 59 52 34 DK/NA 3 3 - 4 4 3 3 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Believe 30% 47% 44% 46% 59% 53% 56% 15% 32% No 67 49 55 51 38 44 42 78 66 DK/NA 3 4 1 4 3 2 3 7 2 -
Question 33. Which comes closer to your point of view: it is necessary to pass stricter voting laws to protect election integrity or it is not necessary to pass stricter voting laws because elections in Texas are already secure?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Necessary 45% 75% 15% 44% 51% 40% 48% 60% Not necessary 50 21 82 53 44 55 48 34 DK/NA 5 5 3 3 5 5 3 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Necessary 37% 53% 50% 41% 63% 49% 55% 24% 38% Not necessary 60 44 46 50 34 45 40 70 57 DK/NA 3 3 4 10 3 6 5 6 5 -
Question 34. In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Agree 58% 34% 81% 60% 53% 61% 60% 50% Disagree 35 57 16 32 36 34 34 42 DK/NA 7 9 3 8 10 5 5 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Agree 68% 62% 57% 47% 48% 59% 54% 76% 60% Disagree 27 33 34 44 43 35 39 20 31 DK/NA 5 5 10 10 10 5 7 4 9 RELIGION.......... Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath Weekly Less Agree 32% 50% 53% 36% 66% Disagree 60 42 39 57 26 DK/NA 8 8 9 7 7 -
Question 35. Suppose Roe v. Wade is overturned and the issue of abortion is left up to the states. In Texas, do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal all cases 23% 7% 42% 24% 18% 29% 18% 16% Legal most cases 32 24 40 36 33 32 35 30 Illegal most cases 29 49 9 27 33 26 34 35 Illegal all cases 10 16 7 9 11 10 9 13 DK/NA 5 4 2 5 6 4 4 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal all cases 37% 25% 17% 16% 11% 23% 17% 44% 23% Legal most cases 33 30 38 33 32 31 32 38 35 Illegal most cases 16 35 33 24 39 31 35 9 26 Illegal all cases 9 8 8 16 13 10 11 6 9 DK/NA 4 2 4 11 6 5 5 2 6 RELIGION.......... Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath Weekly Less Legal all cases 7% 17% 15% 14% 27% Legal most cases 19 33 29 24 35 Illegal most cases 51 32 33 38 25 Illegal all cases 20 13 17 19 8 DK/NA 3 5 6 5 4 -
Question 36. Do you support or oppose banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which is usually around 6 weeks of pregnancy?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 42% 63% 25% 37% 45% 39% 42% 45% Oppose 49 32 65 54 43 54 51 47 DK/NA 10 5 10 9 13 7 6 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 31% 46% 47% 38% 48% 40% 44% 45% 31% Oppose 61 47 45 45 44 53 49 46 55 DK/NA 9 7 8 17 8 7 8 9 13 RELIGION.......... Wht ATTEND SRVCS Evang Prot Cath Weekly Less Support 62% 52% 39% 53% 38% Oppose 33 40 47 35 53 DK/NA 5 8 13 12 9 -
Question 37. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 90% 88% 96% 91% 86% 94% 92% 89% Oppose 8 12 4 7 13 4 8 11 DK/NA 1 - - 2 1 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 89% 92% 89% 91% 84% 95% 90% 95% 89% Oppose 10 6 11 7 15 5 10 3 10 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 1 - 1 2 2 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Support 89% 90% 91% 93% 86% Oppose 10 9 8 7 12 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 2 -
Question 38. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 44% 20% 78% 41% 34% 54% 42% 32% Oppose 52 77 18 56 64 40 55 65 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 2 6 4 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 39% 50% 44% 49% 24% 47% 36% 77% 47% Oppose 59 47 52 45 74 50 61 16 50 DK/NA 2 3 4 5 2 4 3 7 3 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Support 33% 29% 49% 48% 29% Oppose 64 69 46 50 67 DK/NA 3 2 5 3 4 -
Question 39. Do you think it is too easy to buy a gun in Texas today, too difficult to buy a gun in Texas today, or about right?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Too easy 46% 13% 84% 46% 35% 57% 38% 29% Too difficult 4 6 3 3 6 2 3 3 About right 46 77 10 48 55 37 55 65 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 3 5 4 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Too easy 58% 46% 38% 50% 24% 41% 33% 77% 60% Too difficult 5 2 5 2 6 - 3 - 6 About right 35 50 52 40 67 55 61 21 29 DK/NA 2 2 6 7 3 4 3 1 5 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Too easy 33% 28% 52% 51% 30% Too difficult 5 3 4 2 5 About right 60 66 39 46 59 DK/NA 2 3 5 2 6 -
Question 40. Do you support or oppose allowing anyone 21 years of age or older to carry handguns without a license or training?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 24% 36% 6% 26% 35% 13% 20% 32% Oppose 74 58 94 73 62 84 78 63 DK/NA 2 5 - 2 2 3 2 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 26% 23% 25% 16% 41% 15% 27% 4% 20% Oppose 72 75 73 82 56 81 69 95 78 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 3 5 4 1 2 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Support 30% 34% 20% 24% 30% Oppose 68 63 78 75 65 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 5 -
Question 41. Do you think that stricter gun laws would help to decrease the number of mass shootings, or don't you think so?
REGISTERED VOTERS.......................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Help decrease 42% 14% 77% 42% 33% 51% 38% 27% No 56 83 22 56 65 47 60 70 DK/NA 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Help decrease 49% 45% 39% 40% 24% 38% 31% 68% 51% No 47 55 60 56 74 59 66 29 48 DK/NA 4 1 1 4 2 3 3 3 1 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Yes/Help decrease 28% 23% 48% 46% 26% No 70 74 49 54 70 DK/NA 2 3 3 1 4 -
Question 42. Which comes closest to your situation: you are not planning to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or you are planning to receive or have already received a COVID-19 vaccine?
ADULTS....................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Don't plan to 29% 45% 13% 28% 31% 27% 23% 38% Plan to/Already 68 51 87 69 65 70 75 59 DK/NA 3 4 - 3 4 3 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Don't plan to 33% 36% 28% 15% 33% 32% 32% 12% 28% Plan to/Already 66 61 69 82 64 66 65 85 70 DK/NA 1 4 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 AREA.................................... Dall/ South DENSITY............ East FtWth Hstn Cntrl West South City Suburb Rural Don't plan to 41% 29% 25% 30% 43% 16% 28% 24% 39% Plan to/Already 58 68 69 69 55 78 70 73 56 DK/NA 1 3 5 1 2 5 2 3 5 Registered Voters Don't plan to 28% Plan to/Already 68 DK/NA 4 -
Question 43. Do you think hospitals should be allowed to require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination, or don't you think so?
ADULTS....................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Allow req vacc 51% 26% 80% 50% 46% 56% 51% 42% No 45 68 19 45 49 41 45 55 DK/NA 4 5 1 5 5 4 4 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Allow req vacc 53% 43% 51% 60% 45% 45% 45% 64% 57% No 47 53 45 33 51 51 51 33 39 DK/NA - 5 5 7 4 4 4 3 4 AREA.................................... Dall/ South DENSITY............ East FtWth Hstn Cntrl West South City Suburb Rural Yes/Allow req vacc 43% 49% 51% 62% 33% 61% 56% 55% 37% No 52 44 46 33 64 38 39 41 60 DK/NA 5 7 3 5 3 2 5 4 3 Registered Voters Yes/Allow req vacc 51% No 45 DK/NA 4 -
Question 44. Do you think - businesses should be allowed to require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from their - customers, or don't you think so?
ADULTS....................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Allow req proof 30% 10% 51% 30% 27% 34% 32% 20% No 66 88 45 65 71 61 62 78 DK/NA 4 2 4 5 3 5 6 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Allow req proof 32% 23% 32% 38% 23% 26% 24% 46% 36% No 64 72 65 59 75 69 72 51 60 DK/NA 4 5 3 3 3 5 4 3 4 AREA.................................... Dall/ South DENSITY............ East FtWth Hstn Cntrl West South City Suburb Rural Yes/Allow req proof 19% 34% 27% 38% 19% 38% 34% 29% 24% No 76 63 71 55 75 57 62 65 73 DK/NA 4 3 2 7 6 4 4 5 3 Registered Voters Yes/Allow req proof 30% No 66 DK/NA 4 -
Question 45. Do you think - cruise lines should be allowed to require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination from their - passengers, or don't you think so?
ADULTS....................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Allow req proof 57% 33% 80% 58% 52% 63% 62% 46% No 40 65 17 40 46 34 37 52 DK/NA 2 2 3 2 2 3 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Allow req proof 60% 50% 60% 67% 48% 56% 52% 76% 63% No 40 46 39 28 50 42 46 23 34 DK/NA 1 4 1 5 1 2 2 1 3 AREA.................................... Dall/ South DENSITY............ East FtWth Hstn Cntrl West South City Suburb Rural Yes/Allow req proof 58% 58% 53% 68% 42% 63% 62% 62% 45% No 40 41 45 27 53 35 35 37 52 DK/NA 1 1 2 5 5 2 3 1 3 Registered Voters Yes/Allow req proof 57% No 41 DK/NA 2 -
Question 46. Do you think public schools should be allowed to require mask wearing, or don't you think so?
ADULTS....................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Allow req mask 51% 21% 79% 54% 44% 58% 47% 37% No 45 77 18 42 53 37 51 60 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 4 4 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Allow req mask 63% 46% 49% 48% 34% 48% 41% 77% 59% No 36 48 48 44 64 49 56 20 38 DK/NA 1 6 3 8 2 3 3 4 4 AREA.................................... Dall/ South DENSITY............ East FtWth Hstn Cntrl West South City Suburb Rural Yes/Allow req mask 39% 52% 51% 60% 39% 60% 58% 51% 39% No 56 44 45 36 60 35 38 45 58 DK/NA 4 5 4 4 1 5 4 4 3 HAVE KIDS <18 YRS InPublic Registered Yes School Voters Yes/Allow req mask 40% 41% 50% No 56 56 47 DK/NA 4 3 4