The Politics of Gun Control: How Mass Shootings, Media, Public Opinion, and Special Interest Groups Have Affected Congressional Action on Gun Control

Abstract

In 1999, a terrible shooting occurred at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, which triggered similar incidents and a heated debate on gun control in the US. Despite the public outcry, little legislation was passed to address the issue, which has been a recurring pattern after subsequent shootings in the past 23 years. While many bills on gun control have been proposed, few have been successful due to the influence of special interest groups such as the NRA, which consistently shape the narrative and lobby for their interests. This paper investigates the impact of these events in Congress and how outside pressure, including media coverage, public opinion, and special interest group influence, affects legislative action. The study found that while mass shootings do increase media attention and public support for gun control measures, these effects are short-lived and do not necessarily lead to meaningful legislative action. On the other hand, special interest groups such as the NRA have a consistent and long-lasting influence on gun control. Ultimately, this research highlights the importance of understanding the role of outside pressure in holding legislative action and the need for effective strategies to overcome the influence of special interest groups.