population
The issue described by osbornk and DaleA is not uncommon. In states where there are large urban/suburban centers, yet still slices of rural populations as well, folks in the rural areas feel largely unrepresented and inconsequential at election time. PA is one such state, DaleA mentioned MN, TN another, and clearly VA has the same issue. MI would be another, and I suspect many of the Rocky Mtn states are faced with the same problem. Consider MagPul leaving CO over the mag capacity legislation, as the large Denver urban played against the vote from the mountains.
Guns, shooting and hunting are typically synonymous with rural lifestyles. As populations become more and more urban/suburban ( and they have for years) , and suburbanites flee the madness of the populated areas where they are employed, or establish second homes in less populated rural areas, their is a clash of lifestyles and beliefs with the country folk. I see it routinely in the mountain resort areas of the south and along the big lakes in my area.