As they have before previous debates, the treatment of migrant children detained at the U.S.-Mexico border and climate change also scored high as priorities for discussion among Democrats. But gun policy has taken on more prominence following three deadly mass shootings throughout August in Texas and Ohio. The share of independents who said it’s very important Democratic candidates talk about gun policy was also up 8 points since polling before the July 30-31 debates. (The survey measured an 11-point drop among Republican voters who said the same.)

The shooting in El Paso preceded a relaunch of sorts for the presidential campaign of the city’s former congressman, Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who seized the gun control mantle that had been carried by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) until he ended his own presidential campaign in early July.

Speaking over the weekend at the New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention, O’Rourke reiterated calls for stricter gun control, pledging his support for measures with a diverse political backing such as universal background checks and “red flag” laws, while also highlighting his endorsement of a mandatory buyback program for assault-style rifles such as AR-15s and AK-47s.

A poll released Monday by Monmouth University found the majority of Americans (53 percent) oppose a mandatory buyback program, although 69 percent of Democrats support it.