What's gun control worth?

[nancylebov]

I've seen the theory a time or two that the Democrats could have won the 2004 election if they'd given up on gun control. However, I think everyone I've seen promoting that theory is against gun control anyway.

So, do those of you who are want gun control and who also would like the Democrats to win think that it could conceivably be worthwhile to give up on gun control, or is gun control a non-negotiable core issue?

On the other side, if Democrats said they were giving up on gun control, would pro-gun-ownership people believe them?

Comments

[pnh.livejournal.com]

Like Avram, I'm more or less a "pro-gun-rights liberal," or at the very least, a liberal who thinks guns are an issue best handled on a more local level. The citizens of Harlem are strongly pro-gun-control, and the citizens of Montana are strongly against it; both have some pretty good arguments in favor of their positions.

That said, I doubt that the road back for Democrats consists of trying to strike wheedling bargains. People follow leaders. We have to get better at being for stuff, and framing it in stronger, clearer terms.