He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.

(Should be noted that Dems aren't Totally at fault either. Many popular policies that Dems push still don't go through because of how our democratic bureaucracy works. Like how a President can lose the poplar vote and still win the electoral college. Which is really frustrating to a country.)

But closing loop holes (we agree on what a loop hole is lol) and policy like the 90s assault weapons ban is often popular amongst voters. From Pew: About six-in-ten U.S. adults (58%) favor stricter gun laws. Vet's and even law enforcement often in favor too. Dems need better comms and fighters.

What we have is not effective, no. GOP change what the 2nd amendment literally meant in the 70s, and views changed drastically. They've controlled the convo since with the NRA.

But it’s not ineffective. And there are reforms most Americans want.

I don't know if it was specifically the COA, but there is a lot of evidence that Newt is the foundation of MAGA. The shift noted here probably takes place after the 2001 gerrymandering(?), which allowed pre-MAGA to take root and start to eliminate GOP moderates.