Why Do Republicans Oppose Gun Control?

From a May 26, 2022 New York Times article titled:
"Why Republicans Won't Budge on Guns"

"Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Americans support some restrictions on firearms, but GOP lawmakers fear they would pay a steep political price for embracing them.

Asked what the reaction would be from voters back home if he were to support any significant form of gun control, Republican Senator Kevin Cramer (R-SD) had a straightforward answer: 'Most would probably throw me out of office,' he said.

His response helps explain why Republicans have resisted proposals such as the one for universal background checks for gun buyers, despite remarkably broad support from the public for such plans -- support that can reach up to 90 percent nationwide in some cases."

Read entire article,
Google:
"Why Republicans Won't Budge on Gun Control"

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JPWhoo · 36-40, MVIP

That doesn’t make sense though. If 90% are in favor of it, then why would “most” voters back home want to throw him out of office? “Most” could only be about 10% and that’s not enough to lose an election.

Drummer · M

@JPWhoo From The NYT article: "(public) support can reach up to 90 percent nationwide in some cases."
North Dakota is a very Republican state.
BTW, even a majority of NRA members support universal background checks.

robb65 · 56-60, M

@Drummer There have been proposals that would allow individuals to perform background checks on private sales. Maybe a majority of NRA members would support that but apparently people on the other side of the isle do not. IF the goal is to prevent gun sales to criminals then why do those in favor of more background checks opposed to such measures?

Drummer · M

@robb65 I don't understand your question.

robb65 · 56-60, M

@Drummer In other words there are lots of people who are not necessarily opposed to background checks but who are at the same time opposed to "universal" background checks. We could have one without the other but some of the same people wanting "universal" background checks are opposed to allowing individuals to run background checks. So my take is 1) two different things are most likely being conflated. 2) many of the people you claim are in favor of universal background checks either aren't really or they don't understand the difference, and 3) if the people pushing the issue were simply wanting background checks on private sales then a compromise could possibly be reached but what they really want is to either eliminate private sales or unnecessarily complicate the process.

Drummer · M

@robb65 "many of the people YOU CLAIM are in favor of background checks"??
No! This is not "my claim"...It's a fact!
Google: "Seventy to 80 percent of NRA members support a universal background check." (Politifact)
(I'm through arguing with you)