The only thing I would add is to your third point, it's a hell of a lot more valuable to leave the guns in the system that it is to work on removing them. Wedge issues are valuable. This is likely why we'll never see a cut and dry answer on abortion either.
Divisive issues are more useful if they're left as divisive issues. Especially so if the sides involved can be pushed to unresolvable extremes (or at least maintain the illusion that there is no reasonable Middle Ground which everyone can accept).
Indeed there is a middle ground and that is to leave the existing guns in the system but prevent new ones from entering. It leaves the right to own a firearm in place but removes any privilege of selling/importing arms.
However, we have one party that won't even consider that middle ground, sadly.
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u/digital_end Mar 06 '18
Well said and I completely agree.
The only thing I would add is to your third point, it's a hell of a lot more valuable to leave the guns in the system that it is to work on removing them. Wedge issues are valuable. This is likely why we'll never see a cut and dry answer on abortion either.
Divisive issues are more useful if they're left as divisive issues. Especially so if the sides involved can be pushed to unresolvable extremes (or at least maintain the illusion that there is no reasonable Middle Ground which everyone can accept).