3. Americans Increasingly Live in Belief Communities - As the Pew Research data illustrates, Americans are deeply divided on gun issues. But these two groups of Americans don't talk with each other. They often live in very different regions, and (in many cases) exist in sub-cultures where they only talk with, and get news from, people who share their beliefs. This separation of our society into different Belief Communities, on issues such as gun rights, makes it difficult for our political leaders to find effective compromises.

This is the most important problem.

The Internet is part of this problem.

The problem produces this kind of thinking:

7. The NRA Feeds, and Is Fed by, GOP Paranoia -- I believe many Americans who voted for Romney were nonetheless appalled by the tone of the NRA statement endorsing Romney-Ryan: "Today, we live in an America that is getting harder to recognize every day led by a President who mocks our values, belittles our faith, and is threatened by our freedom."

Further, the NRA claims President Obama is part of a conspiracy (involving the United Nations) to confiscate all of America's guns.

Also...

8. A Fight Over Gun Control Is Exactly What the NRA Wants -- The NRA is a gun rights advocacy group. Its major basis for fundraising is its claim that gun rights are threatened. It thrives on conflict, not on compromise. The NRA will, no doubt, feature its opposition to any proposed gun control legislation in fund-raising appeals to its base.

This is an interesting hypothesis - that mass shootings are good for NRA - that their donations go up. Its not out of the question.