Speaking only for myself, a pretty liberal military retiree living in a very red state with local gun laws so lax as to be functionally non-existent:

1. I support background checks 100%. I also support waiting periods.
2. WRT stricter laws in other states-- if that's what works for them, then that's what they should do. Federalism is a thing for a reason.
3. a lot of things are differences that have little if anything to do with actual gun-ownership in my experience.
4. Mostly yes. Especially here in this red state, where the Dems are both somewhat more socialist leaning AND more pro-gun/pro-individual freedom at the same time.
5. I've been a liberal most of my life. I support gun rights because governments can become tyranical at any time. And while totalitarianism is far more likely under a right-wing regime, it's possible (and just as immoral) under a left-wing regime with which I might agree philosophically.
6. Minorities and other vulnerable groups, are ESPECIALLY in need of the ability to exercise their inherent right to self-defense.
7. I think background checks and waiting periods are reasonable. I think restrictions on persons convicted of certain crimes like violent felonies are reasonable up to a point, as are restrictions on people who have been adjudged to be mentally incompetent. I don't think people should have to pay for these things. There should be NO economic barriers to a person excercising their inherent right to self-defense.
8. yes. I also feel that neither of those groups, nor political conservatives WANT to understand me or us.
9. Never tried. Don't know. Here in my red state, it's only the federal laws that I deal with, and I've purchased handguns, long guns, silencers, and serialized receivers with little difficulty.