There are the "hardcore believers" on the Left that really do see this as their big opportunity. Feinstein and Schumer being two of the most obvious examples. They will push gun control as the solution for any problem. And they will attempt to pass the broadest bills.
But once you leave those sorts behind, there are really two "drivers" of these gun control efforts.
1) Ideological. The modern GOP still mostly believes in the Reagan quote. "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." The party includes economic conservatives and social conservatives but a large percentage of all those groups within the party consider themselves to be libertarians.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party remains committed to the idea that some problems are too big or expensive or divisive to be solved in any other way than government. Whether it is hurricanes, unemployment, gay marriage, or health care, they really do believe that government should lead the way.
2) Reality. Elections. Demands from your political base, etc. The Democrats take in large amounts of money from various celebrities and politically active groups that strongly support gun control. If Democrats don't use this opportunity to pass their pet legislation, they will threaten to cut off their support and money. Any Democrat who attempts to be a moderate on this issue could well find themselves in a primary fight at re-election. And their opponent will be to their left. (We obviously see this same phenomenon on the Right with all directions reversed.)
So this reality leads to that phrase we've all heard until we are sick of it: "We've got to do something!" Politicians need to have successfully passed legislation that they can point at to demonstrate that they are actually doing something in Washington to address the problems the country faces. Legislators on the Right can satisfy their constituents on this issue by pointing out the things that didn't pass. Things they can claim to have blocked. But that isn't going to fly on the Left. They really do have to "pass something" in order to at least mollify their base. If not a new AWB, then magazine limits. Or pass a bill they claim closes that mythical "gun show loophole." SOMETHING!
Pointing out to them that their solutions don't address the very shootings they claim to be trying to prevent doesn't have any effect. They know that... most of them that appear to be idiots in public really aren't. They end up sounding like idiots because they try to "square the circle" when explaining their actions and policies to the media. They just hope that most of their supporters don't notice. Whatever pointless thing they manage to pass, at least they can wave it over their heads and proclaim a victory.
Gregg
