Ive seen this come up in the past couple of weeks multiple times and felt perhaps I would inject my rather passionate opinion on this matter.
A few things: I am from Texas. I grew up with guns, I had a gun in my hand from the time I was 3 years old, I was taught gun safety, responsibility, and almost as important OPERATION (ie. gun control=how you aim). I have shot all sorts of weapons , from lowly 22caliber handguns, to semi-assault rifles, Ive even owned a few. I am also a vegan. I dont have any use for hunting (my food comes from the ground) , and I certainly dont think using animals are a good source for my personal entertainment.
I have travelled all over europe, I read quite frequently (although by DKos standards never enough) and I am aware of crime levels in other countries that both have gun control and do not.
I can say from all of this, from a US progressive standpoint, pushing gun control is a LOSING ISSUE for us.
I dont personally care what polling you may have showing people "support" tighter gun control. The reality and psychology is this:
If you ask the average american if they think "people out there" shouldnt have guns, their gut instinct will be "ohhh why YES!!!" (as they privately consider the safety of themselves and their families). You frame the debate in terms of crime and endangerment of police officers, and the sentiment continues to increase.
Then you ask them this: "do you think YOU shouldnt have guns" and the sentiment swings 180degrees the other way with conclusion being "OHHH HELL NO! STAY AWAY FROM MY RIGHT TO OWN A GUN"
Whether people have guns or not, when it comes to THEM PERSONALLY they usually err on the side of their own greater freedoms.
Thats why this will never be a winning argument for progressives. We can show all the data we want that guncontrol would make things safer and a higher quality of life, but UNLIKE healthcare where there's really no instinctual argument to say "oh hell no I dont want garaunteed health care for myself", opponents can ALWAYS frame this issue as an intrusion and "insult" on personal rights.
Whats more, theyd be correct.
What we should instead work for, is a sane policy on regulating this right. We will and never SHOULD take guns out of this country, we should however enshrine responsibility,safety,and yes I think even TRAINING (to instill proper respect) through legislation.
In the end, I see it like this way: we license cars because its dangerous to operate one , I realize the right to drive a car is not enshrined the constitution, but reflexively a gun is an INTENTIONAL weapon rather than an occidental one. Why cant we treat guns the same.