Voters in four states this November will have the opportunity to do what congressional and many state lawmakers have repeatedly failed to do: strengthen gun safety laws. It's a good tactic, since many lawmakers have been persuaded by the National Rifle Association (NRA) to vote against their constituents' interests on gun issues. Kira Lerner reports:
In California, voters will decide on a ballot measure to ban large-capacity magazines. In Nevada and Maine, they’ll decide whether to expand background checks. And in Washington, they can decide to take guns off the hands of potentially dangerous people.
The four ballot measures constitute just one, but potentially the most effective, manner in which gun safety advocates are pushing their agenda this November. Gun safety groups have also said they will target vulnerable, pro-gun members of Congress and hold them accountable for their votes against what they call “common sense” gun legislation.
When given the chance, voters have typically approved gun safety measures. Washington State voters strengthened background checks two years ago, Oregon voters "closed the gun show loophole" in 2000, and voters from Florida to Colorado to Missouri have all bolstered their gun safety laws over the years.
Taking these issues to the ballot box has not only proven to be a winning formula, but it could send a signal to lawmakers that the NRA's “weaponize at all costs” mantra is losing popular traction, even if its coffers are full.