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In reply to the discussion: Why we lost the gun debate in the Senate, and why we'll keep losing it. [View all]Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)32. More stringent gun control failed because support fell.
I am in a minority on DU because I would rather err on the side of protecting personal freedom than restricting it, and that is fine. That is how I see the issue. Despite some barbs from the usual few, DU is a place where a variety of opinions on hot topics are respected, and that is greatly appreciated.
I've made the argument before that Senators voted their political future. That's what politicians do. That political future rides on the will of the voters in their respective states. Had Senators had the support from their constituents back home, more would have supported more stringent gun control.
This poll feeds that theory:
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USA TODAY Poll: Public support for gun control ebbs
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/04/22/usa-today-poll-finds-support-for-gun-control-ebbs-backing-for-immigration-bill-strong/2103419/
WASHINGTON -- Four months after the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a USA TODAY Poll finds support for a new gun-control law ebbing as prospects for passage on Capitol Hill seem to fade.
Americans are more narrowly divided on the issue than in recent months, and backing for a bill has slipped below 50%, the poll finds. By 49%-45%, those surveyed favor Congress passing a new gun-control law. In an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll in early April, 55% had backed a stricter gun law, which was down from 61% in February.
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There are a few glaring reasons support fell, imo, and probably continues to fall.
There was a full-on media/WH push for new gun control using the Newtown tragedy as a "draw." Yes, this happened. I found it offensive to use a tragedy like that to push a political agenda. It got to the point I was having flashbacks to those scummy tv commercials selling 9*11 coins. Just wasn't right, imho, and I think others began to feel the same way.
I also think it was wrong to try to accompllish more stringent gun restrictions by plying support based on emotion. This is an important issue and should be dealt with in a fair and reasoned manner. Whipping up support by trying to manipulate people on an emotional level - well, I think people began to see through that and reject it.
I also think the time between the Newtown tragedy and the votes gave Americans time to reflect and ponder and wonder if it is the right thing to do to tweak rights many perceive to flow from the Constitution.
And I don't think the WH did itself any favors by having Biden travel around the country and make fun of people who didn't support further gun control. That didn't win any support, I'm sure.
I will also say this - pushing a vague "gun control" effort, incessantly described only as "common sense gun control," few specifics being offered, was the wrong way to go. It made it look like there was something to hide. I have no doubt those pushing new gun control would have gone as far as they possibly could, and planned to do just that. Why else would the push be so strong yet so vague?
I think the push was flawed, and I think enough people finally saw through the show to reject it.
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Why we lost the gun debate in the Senate, and why we'll keep losing it. [View all]
Savannahmann
Apr 2013
OP
do you truly believe the RW would honestly debate the issues surrounding gun control?
DrDan
Apr 2013
#1
The Majority Of People Support Gun Control But It Is Not Important To Them? Yes
sarisataka
Apr 2013
#19
So the vast majority is being held hostage by a small, heavily armed minority of fanatics? n/t
ellisonz
Apr 2013
#72
A motivated minority is having an impact, but that is how the Senate was designed.
aikoaiko
Apr 2013
#79
As a progressive democrat I'm tired of being blamed when my warnings go unheeded.
HereSince1628
Apr 2013
#53
I'm pro-third party but eager for dems to run candidates who aren't repukes in blue
BethanyQuartz
Apr 2013
#28
Your point about the hubris of DiFi is well made and she is not the only one
ProgressiveProfessor
Apr 2013
#11
The purpose of this post is not to revisit Gun Control in this Congress, or the next.
Savannahmann
Apr 2013
#17
If you are expecting our politicians to be knowledgeable you might as well give up now
Fumesucker
Apr 2013
#70
These are irrational people who think they need to strap a gun or two on to venture out.
Hoyt
Apr 2013
#29