Although there are several gun control measures, such as universal background checks, that enjoy broad support among the general public, Congress has not enacted laws in the wake of mass shootings from Newtown to Parkland. Nor it is clear that the mass murder of 17 people on Valentine’s Day will lead to an ambitious response from Congress.
In theory, this policy stagnation in the face of widespread terror and death should be an electoral issue, with the minority party holding the majority party accountable for inaction. In practice, the Democratic Party has been reluctant to embrace gun control as a core part of its agenda, believing that gun control costs more votes than it gains in more rural districts where Democratic candidates would be competitive otherwise. …
Do national polls for gun-related proposals mask so much diversity across districts and states that gun control is a losing issue for Democrats in swing districts? CONT.
Gregory Koger (U. of Miami), Mischiefs of Faction