Senator Kerry has missed votes, but he didn't miss the opportunity to vote recently to restrict your right to keep and bear arms.
Yes, in the papers and on TV. It's usually accompanied by a LEO or DA comment such as, "The victim was not arrested on murder (or attempted murder) charges, pending an investigation. It appears that his weapon was only used in a defensive capacity, and was correctly registered with the authorities." Or not, like that poor immigrant in NYC who had to do jail time because he defended himself -- which probably cost him his job.
There's a divide between urban and suburban America, between elite and common America, and the commoners, the folk from the countryside usually agree: self-defense is a human right. The urban dwellers and the elites have a very different view, yet crime is worse in the cities usually. Go figure.