I really don't think potential motivations are very mysterious if the Russian state is actually doing this of their own accord. Like you said, sowing political

I really don't think potential motivations are very mysterious if the Russian state is actually doing this of their own accord. Like you said, sowing political discord in general over hot-button issues is a benefit. But if they're really trying to tip the scales in favor of the pro-gun lobby then that makes sense too. Riling up the pro-gun voters is a way of meddling in the 2018 elections with a pro-Republican/Trump bias that we already saw in 2016. In addition, it's conceivable that Russia believes that more permissive gun laws will help destabilize America.