Polls have consistently shown that a large majority of Americans support additional gun restrictions, but gun legislation never goes anywhere in Congress. Why? Contrary to most public opinion, the NRA isn’t the villain here; the inaction is due to the perception that millions of gun enthusiasts are one-issue voters who can and will tip elections away from conservative Democrats if they are provoked. All of the intensity on the issue is on the wrong side. Nothing will happen unless and until that changes, which is conceivable, as the number of massacres mounts.
The abortion issue is starting to look very similar to me. The public, as a whole, clearly supports Roe v. Wade, but abortion opponents feel very strongly on the issue, while the pro-choice people mostly take their rights for granted. Will that change after Barrett is confirmed? Will the blue team mobilize as effectively for their cause as the red team when they know defeat is knocking at the door? Stay tuned.