Our view

The Senate’s defeat of gun control overhaul left many seeking answers to what went awry. After all, the measures voted down were supported by a strong majority of Americans. One – the bill to clarify gun trafficking laws – even reached the floor with verbal support from the National Rifle Association.

It received 58 votes. just two shy of the necessary 60. The effort to expand background checks, which drew the approval of a vast majority of citizens, fell 54-40. The ban on military-style assault rifles and the attempt to limit ammunition clip sizes each received fewer than 50 votes.

Supporters of the bills naturally blame lobbying by the powerful NRA. But the reason these measures failed to advance from the Senate lies elsewhere.

Politicians are adept at deciphering the electorate. They read the polls and understood the mood of the nation. They determined that while the majority may favor increased background checks, these people do not cast their ballots in a block on this issue.

In other words, a voter may feel the time has come to ban assault weapons or cut the size of clips, but he or she may also stand with their elected official on most other issues. The senator’s decision on these bills will not affect their votes in the next election.

Meanwhile, those who – rightly or wrongly – believe that gun control is tantamount to an outright attack on rights will likely turn against a politician in support of the measures.

We may scorn our elected officials from time to time and doubt their mental capacity. We should always remember, however, that they understand fully how democracy plays out.