Why do we talk more about gun control than vehicle control?

Ruling out suicides, gun deaths number roughly half as high as vehicle deaths in the U.S. (stats as of 1979). But nobody seems to be arguing that our vehicles should be taken away.. or that the type of vehicle we drive should be restricted based on vehicle deaths.. or that vehicles shouldn’t be allowed in certain areas just because they are vehicles.. or that people should have rigorous screening before owning a car. Why is that? Why is something whose ownership is protected by the constitution (guns) more adamantly argued against than one that isn’t (cars)? Cars are killing far more people! If you replace “mass shooting” with “big crash” than cars are vastly more dangerous.

Bonus question for those able to read this far:
What was so different in 2000 or so when gun deaths were at an extreme low? Shouldn’t we be seeing what was going on then and move back in that direction?