For a politician, unless we're talking about an actual physical threat against them, cowardice only indicates an unwillingness to oppose the apparent majority view or endanger re-election when they believe doing so is morally right. Since you keep arguing most people want gun control that's a pretty logically inconsistent view, especially since it is very unlikely most of the guys who voted with their party disagree. Now something like gay rights, believing gays should marry but saying other wise for fear of voter backlash, that's pretty cowardly, and we both know that's true of tons of democrat politicians including the president, but you would presumably view that as common sense then. Situational ethics, they don't do wonders for your credibility.

I believe you, I'd still advise not bringing fresh anger to the board tomorrow though. At least not on this issue, gun control is effectively dead for at least 8-12 years and stumping for it except through calm polite reasoning is going to be counter-productive.