The Sumers campaign spokesman makes a good point: they are using a recent event to demonstrate why they think their view on this issue is important. When you really believe this is an issue where voting the "wrong" way will literally kill people, how else do you show how important it is?

The problem with this is the same problem I have with the massive expansion on law enforcement and surveillence powers for the ostensible "War(s) on [foo]": the changes generally don't work. To argue that the sniper attacks would not have happened if there were stricter gun laws is amply refuted by study after study.

These arguments usually come down to, "Look at this bad thing. I don't like this bad thing. So vote for me/my plan." The emotional appeal of the subject bears no relation to the effectiveness of the proposed solution.