General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How (not) to convince people to support gun control. [View all]geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Politically, that is. Of course in real world terms it is a public safety issue.
But, in terms of politics, the pro-gun voters are going to oppose each and every piece of legislation that in any way makes it inconvenient for anyone to buy or own a gun.
Look at Toomey-Manchin. Policy-wise it was something the vast majority of pro-gun voters say they favor. But when it came time for a vote, the vast majority of pro-gun voters were glad it failed.
The cultural belief that guns are the solution to violent crime instead of an aggravating factor is not vulnerable to policy arguments. Like other ideological assumptions,,the more evidence one presents the more people dig in their heels.
How many minds has empirical analysis changed on abortion or prayer in public schools?
And, let's not forget that pro-gun voters are also overwhelmingly Republican. So, they're going to oppose any kind of gun reform, since such efforts are associated with Democrats.
Gun reform will not be possible until we break the spine of the Republican Party.