The abortion issue has many GOP candidates running scared. Websites are being scrubbed, and formerly fiery anti-abortion extremists are trying desperately to sound moderate, on the rare occasions when they talk about it at all. The reason for this is obvious; the issue could drive up turnout and cost the GOP the election. By contrast, however, the average GOP candidate is not watering down his pro-gun position even though it is just as unpopular. How do we account for the difference?
The polls on gun control issues do not reflect the enthusiasm gap between gun opponents and supporters. For a Republican candidate to vote for gun control consequently means alienating the base, which is rabid on the question, without winning over many swing voters. As a result, even leaving the GOP’s cult of self-reliance aside, it makes little practical sense for Republicans to moderate their position on gun control, so they don’t.