Next time someone tells you we just need to convince more people...
by David Atkins
It's a less common refrain these days, but you'll still hear a lot of progressives talk about the need to convince more voters that we're right and conservatives are wrong. Next time you hear that, remind them of this:
Ninety-two percent of voters, including 92 percent of gun owners and 86 percent of Republicans, support background checks prior to all gun sales, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University.
The results indicate that, while the proposed shift to universal background checks has stirred intense partisan bickering inside the Beltway, it's not nearly as controversial throughout the rest of the country.
Supporters of tougher gun laws were quick to highlight the results, calling on House Republican leaders to take up legislation expanding background screenings to all commercial gun sales.
Rep. Mike Thompson (Calif.), a gun owner who heads the House Democratic task force on gun violence, urged GOP leaders to consider his bill to do just that.
"The only thing standing in the way of it passing is the Republican Majority in the House," Thompson said in a statement. "It's time they listen to the 92 percent of American gun owners who support background checks and bring our bill up for a vote — because if the Republican Majority would allow a vote, my bill would pass."
He shouldn't hold his breath.
Legislation doesn't work that way. A bill with 70% public support isn't necessarily any more likely to pass than one with 50% public support.
What matters isn't what the public believes. What matters is the issues that the public is willing to get out and vote for. By and large, people don't care badly enough about gun control to throw out legislators who don't do what they want. But the small minority of gun nuts do care very badly--and they get out and vote in partisan primaries with that same passion.
It's not about getting people to agree with you. It's about getting people passionate enough to do something about it.
And those who don't even bother to vote? Well, they're not even part of the conversation or the equation.
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