Apathy
That is the one-word answer to all your questions.
Numbers don't really matter. Look around you - it does not take a majority of a population to effect change. Never has. A majority did not support the war for independence; as a matter of fact most opposed it. A majority of Americans did not elect any recent President. Most people stayed home. Politicians are elected by minorities.
To keep the math simple, let's just say 50% of American households have guns. How many of them are ardent, knowledgeable 2A advocates? Certainly not all, I'd say less than half. How many of them even vote? If about half the eligible population votes in general elections it can be assumed about half of the gun-owning households do also. Then: how many of them actually vote in favor of candidates who are firmly committed 2A advocates? Again, certainly not all. So at best we are left with less than 10% of eligible voters who strongly support politicians who actively work toward preserving our Constitutional rights.
Considering the question from the "anti" perspective, it can be assumed their voting representation is similar. However, given that high density population areas contain large voting blocs of people, most of whom are dependent upon the proper functioning of low-level municipal services, and that the most ardent pro-gun supporters choose to live in less repressive, more self-sustaining environments with fewer infrastructure-dependent resources, and the result is a disproportionate representation of anti-gun politicians.
There is one more aspect to consider, one that is strictly my opinion: Politicians of all stripes are motivated by
control. They have (again, my opinion) a psychological affliction that manifests itself in an irresistible urge to impose their will upon others. They get off on it. Personally, I find that repugnant. I think it's a sickness they share with rapists and spouse-beaters, but it's a sickness that has found a socially acceptable outlet in government service. This opinion, though personal, is supported by others close to me: I have family members who have government jobs. They see that trait in their coworkers every day... but never in themselves, of course
Maybe I'm wrong here, but 2A advocates have the opposite tendency: they generally want to be left alone. In times of need they don't expect others to come to their aid. They don't demand that someone else "do something", they take action themselves. They don't consider themselves "activists". They aren't "community organizers". They disdain "occupy" movements. After all, the 2A addresses
self-defense, not the defense that comes with a mob.
That characteristic – the desire to be left alone, what some call "rugged individualism" – is a hindrance to all who favor limited government, and explains the inexorable erosion of liberty and freedom that so many American fought and died to preserve.
Apathy is difficult to overcome. I hope this website contributes in some small way toward that goal.
...
Eight years ago I was fairly active on this site. It was heartening to find a number of like-minded, intelligent people with whom to discuss subjects such as this. Events subsequent to that time were dismaying, and I thought we will all just have to hunker down for a few years while the voting (and willfully non-voting) public finally learns the consequences of their actions... or lack thereof. Wait until the storm passes, from which a much more enlightened nation will surely emerge. Needless to say, four years later the situation became even more dismaying. Millions of people chose apathy over action, and we are now living the consequences of their choice.
Today, finally, we have arrived at a similar juncture. Your favorite politician may not be God's gift to liberty and independence. His or her manner of speaking might sound preachy. He or she may be guilty of having served in government. He or she may not share 100% of your social or economic values. But, you will have a choice, and I won't try to impose mine upon yours. Choose wisely, but choose, while bearing in mind the decision
not to vote is a choice as well.
