This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/22/gun-control-is-wrong-move-for-colorado-united-states

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Contrary to popular belief, gun control is not gaining momentum in America Contrary to popular belief, gun control is not gaining momentum in America
(6 months later)
There is concern across America that the Sandy Hook mass shooting has given gun control efforts significant – and unwarranted – momentum. Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado signed new gun control legislation this week, and President Obama is again pushing Congress to pass additional federal gun control laws. Although it is a sad week for Second Amendment supporters in Colorado, that state is an outlier. What happened in Newtown was a tragedy, but heightening gun restrictions is not the right response.There is concern across America that the Sandy Hook mass shooting has given gun control efforts significant – and unwarranted – momentum. Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado signed new gun control legislation this week, and President Obama is again pushing Congress to pass additional federal gun control laws. Although it is a sad week for Second Amendment supporters in Colorado, that state is an outlier. What happened in Newtown was a tragedy, but heightening gun restrictions is not the right response.
Governor Hickenlooper, a Democrat, signed into law on Wednesday legislation that expands background checks on gun purchases and limits the sizes of ammunition magazines to 15 rounds. Colorado used to be more of a purple state that could go either Democrat or Republican, but in recent years it has turned into a blue state. It was home to the 1999 Columbine school shooting and the Aurora movie theater shooting that killed 12 people last summer. These tragic incidents, combined with Sandy Hook, created an emotional climate to pass gun control legislation.Governor Hickenlooper, a Democrat, signed into law on Wednesday legislation that expands background checks on gun purchases and limits the sizes of ammunition magazines to 15 rounds. Colorado used to be more of a purple state that could go either Democrat or Republican, but in recent years it has turned into a blue state. It was home to the 1999 Columbine school shooting and the Aurora movie theater shooting that killed 12 people last summer. These tragic incidents, combined with Sandy Hook, created an emotional climate to pass gun control legislation.
Contrast Colorado with nearby Arizona. Arizona experienced the tragic, high-profile shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2011. Yet there is no chance any new gun control laws will be passed. In fact, Arizona is now considered the most gun-owner friendly state in the country. The state's legislature and most top political offices are held by Republicans, whereas, the reverse is true in Colorado. This is evidence that a high-profile mass shooting is not enough to turn the tide in favor of gun control; the political climate is more determinative.Contrast Colorado with nearby Arizona. Arizona experienced the tragic, high-profile shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in 2011. Yet there is no chance any new gun control laws will be passed. In fact, Arizona is now considered the most gun-owner friendly state in the country. The state's legislature and most top political offices are held by Republicans, whereas, the reverse is true in Colorado. This is evidence that a high-profile mass shooting is not enough to turn the tide in favor of gun control; the political climate is more determinative.
Very few states other than Colorado are getting anywhere with gun control legislation. New York is the only other state to pass legislation this year. New York's new law passed in January, banning magazines that contain more than seven bullets, requiring universal background checks, and requiring gun registration for most firearms. But even New York's Governor Cuomo is now backtracking on some of the highly unpopular controls.Very few states other than Colorado are getting anywhere with gun control legislation. New York is the only other state to pass legislation this year. New York's new law passed in January, banning magazines that contain more than seven bullets, requiring universal background checks, and requiring gun registration for most firearms. But even New York's Governor Cuomo is now backtracking on some of the highly unpopular controls.
Federal efforts are also going nowhere. Aware that the public support isn't there, Congress and Obama have backed off on trying to pass an assault weapons ban, and at this point in time are only considering universal background checks. There is little chance even that will pass, however, since Republicans control the House of Representatives.Federal efforts are also going nowhere. Aware that the public support isn't there, Congress and Obama have backed off on trying to pass an assault weapons ban, and at this point in time are only considering universal background checks. There is little chance even that will pass, however, since Republicans control the House of Representatives.
In fact, bills are being proposed and passed in state legislatures loosening up gun control laws. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, while 574 gun control bills have been proposed since January 1, 512 bills have been proposed to bolster gun rights. Pro-gun legislation has been passed into law this year in Maine, South Dakota, Arkansas and Missouri.In fact, bills are being proposed and passed in state legislatures loosening up gun control laws. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, while 574 gun control bills have been proposed since January 1, 512 bills have been proposed to bolster gun rights. Pro-gun legislation has been passed into law this year in Maine, South Dakota, Arkansas and Missouri.
Colorado's new laws aren't home free. Weld County Sheriff John Cooke announced that he will not enforce the new laws, reasoning, "Criminals are still going to get their guns." The firearms accessories manufacturer Magpul is following through on its pledge to leave the state over the legislation.Colorado's new laws aren't home free. Weld County Sheriff John Cooke announced that he will not enforce the new laws, reasoning, "Criminals are still going to get their guns." The firearms accessories manufacturer Magpul is following through on its pledge to leave the state over the legislation.
Much of the proposed legislation in Colorado never even made it to the governor, including a gun ban on college campuses and a bill to hold assault-weapon owners liable for damages caused by their weapons. In New York, three lawsuits have been filed against the new legislation. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia recently said it's ripe for the high court to hear another Second Amendment dispute.Much of the proposed legislation in Colorado never even made it to the governor, including a gun ban on college campuses and a bill to hold assault-weapon owners liable for damages caused by their weapons. In New York, three lawsuits have been filed against the new legislation. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia recently said it's ripe for the high court to hear another Second Amendment dispute.
Kenneth Rapoza writing for Forbes Magazine last month analyzed gun control efforts since 1993 and concluded they are cyclical and increase only temporarily in response to high-profile shootings. There is no overall trend toward stricter gun control. When Bill Clinton became president in 1993, 57% favored stricter gun control. Support rose to 66% by the time he left office. However, it decreased down to a low of 39% under Obama. The current spike in support can be expected to decrease back down a relatively low 39%.Kenneth Rapoza writing for Forbes Magazine last month analyzed gun control efforts since 1993 and concluded they are cyclical and increase only temporarily in response to high-profile shootings. There is no overall trend toward stricter gun control. When Bill Clinton became president in 1993, 57% favored stricter gun control. Support rose to 66% by the time he left office. However, it decreased down to a low of 39% under Obama. The current spike in support can be expected to decrease back down a relatively low 39%.
Obama could try to get around Congress by implementing gun control through executive orders. He has pushed through other aspects of his political agenda this way. He is already accomplishing what some describe as "de facto" gun control by having federal agencies buy up ammunition in large amounts, creating an artificial shortage. The Department of Homeland Security has stockpiled over 1.6bn rounds of ammo for its various agencies, mainly in the popular .40 cal and 9mm sizes. The administration will not admit that it is stockpiling ammunition in order to prohibit Americans from purchasing ammunition, but why else would the government be stockpiling ammunition knowing that there is already a run on ammunition by private citizens afraid of what Obama may do next? As a result, the cost of ammunition has more than doubled in the past few months, and some sizes, like the popular .223 round, are frequently out of stock.Obama could try to get around Congress by implementing gun control through executive orders. He has pushed through other aspects of his political agenda this way. He is already accomplishing what some describe as "de facto" gun control by having federal agencies buy up ammunition in large amounts, creating an artificial shortage. The Department of Homeland Security has stockpiled over 1.6bn rounds of ammo for its various agencies, mainly in the popular .40 cal and 9mm sizes. The administration will not admit that it is stockpiling ammunition in order to prohibit Americans from purchasing ammunition, but why else would the government be stockpiling ammunition knowing that there is already a run on ammunition by private citizens afraid of what Obama may do next? As a result, the cost of ammunition has more than doubled in the past few months, and some sizes, like the popular .223 round, are frequently out of stock.
Although the Second Amendment has taken a slight bruising after Sandy Hook, unlike other controversial social issues such as gay marriage and drug legalization, which are gradually becoming more accepted by society, gun control is not gaining ground. It is unlikely Obama will find a way around Congress to force it on Americans using other methods. Americans are not changing their minds on this issue, and unilaterally issuing an executive order would generate a massive political backlash.Although the Second Amendment has taken a slight bruising after Sandy Hook, unlike other controversial social issues such as gay marriage and drug legalization, which are gradually becoming more accepted by society, gun control is not gaining ground. It is unlikely Obama will find a way around Congress to force it on Americans using other methods. Americans are not changing their minds on this issue, and unilaterally issuing an executive order would generate a massive political backlash.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.