Nicholas Kristof in today's International New York Times:

"Indeed, since 1970, more Americans have died of gun violence, including murders, suicides and accidents (1.4 million), than in all the wars in American history (1.3 million).

Whenever there is a mass shooting, there are inspiring individual stories like Anthony’s. But the larger picture is disgraceful: the president and congressional leaders dillydallying on the sidelines, sending “thoughts and prayers” and nothing else.

This will change only when politicians are more afraid of voters than of the N.R.A."

Read the article here.

Indeed, too many politicians are more afraid of the N.R.A. than of voters. Money talks.
Which is not to say that it is desirable that politicians are afraid of voters. Perhaps that's the essence of populism: politicians who fear voters and try to bribe them with scapegoats and theoretical goodies.