And the free market began enforcing them????
No. Will of the people changed it where government had failed. It was no longer acceptable, and (most) people changed their behavior.
Do you agree that the "will of the people" is what pushes government to create legislation?
Yes - when the will of the people overrides the politician's own self-interest of getting donations, re-elected, job after they lose re-election, etc.
And that legislation is what makes the change effective?
Only if the people agree with the legislation. Few people obeyed the 55mph speed limit enacted by Nixon, for example. The war on drugs was a complete failure; after 25 years the government finally surrendured with the First Step Act last year. As I stated earlier, unless the government is willing to incarcerate or slaughter people, there is a limit as to what they can do in terms of changing behavior with a stick.
How do you suggest that the background checks be done, if the will of the people is such?
It will be interesting. Most people seem to want background checks for all gun sales/transfers, and it looks like Trump will get it done where Obama failed. I think that is because the "will of the people" has reached the tipping point with the power of the entrenched industry and influence of the NRA - not because Trump is a hardliner and Obama was a softie.
Will people follow the law? TBD. If not, will the law be enforced by the police? TBD. If enforced by the police, will the courts put people in jail or simply slap their wrists? TBD
The way I'd summarize how I'm reading your complaint is that government lags the will of the people.
Generally yes, at least when the people still have power. There are many countries where the government has the power and this is not the case.
Sometimes the lag is for very long periods of time.
Which may be good: “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” Benjamin Franklin.
In the US, government is run by corporate influence, not "the people"
Short and succinct! I would have added politician self interest as well, but corporate influence covers that (campaign donations, employment after losing office, and plain old bribes).
And at a certain point "the people" are outraged enough to override it. But with a complicit media (they are part of the entrenched power establishment), that can take a long time.