Citation

Fleming AK, Rutledge PE, Dixon GC, Peralta JS. Soc. Sci. Q. 2016; 97(5): 1144-1156.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Southwestern Social Science Association and the University of Texas, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/ssqu.12269

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This article explores the strategic nature of framing following a focusing event. We argue that focusing events serve as catalysts for bill introductions along three particular causal stories prevalent in gun control policy: restrictive, punitive, and lenient.

METHODS. We employ a negative binomial regression model to investigate the effect firearm focusing events have on restrictive, lenient, and punitive bills introduced in both the House and the Senate.

RESULTS. Focusing events lead to an increase in restrictive, punitive, and lenient bills introduced in the House. In the Senate, however, focusing events lead to an increase in the number of punitive and lenient bills, while having no significant impact on the number of restrictive bills.

CONCLUSION. This represents an increase in attention to gun control policy regardless of the causal story.

Language: en