In what is being interpreted as a troubling sign to legislators hoping to pass gun reform laws two Democratic lawmakers from Colorado were recalled after supporting gun-control laws on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
State Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs and state Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo supported a bill that became law earlier in the year limiting ammunition magazines to 15 rounds or fewer and broadening background checks. A grassroots effort by gun-rights advocates to garner enough signatures to recall every lawmaker who supported the law fell short and only enough signatures were gathered for these two, but the recall ended up being successful.
The election attracted attention, and a great deal of money, from all over the country because it showed the possible political ramifications that can come along with supporting gun control.
"The results tonight will certainly be interpreted through the lens of the national gun debate," political analyst Eric Sondermann told Politico. "About whether it's safe to pursue this kind of legislation or whether to do it at your political peril."
Other insiders were skeptical that Tuesday's recall would have any effects felt outside of Colorado.
"It is clear to me that there is a group of activists that wanted to send a message about two people in two parts of the state, and their support of gun legislation," Rick Ridder, a Democratic strategist, told Politico. "Do I think it's reflective of the state? No. Do I think it's reflective of the overall mood? No. Do I think anyone should take anything out of this other than this could be a trend about using recalls? That's the only think I could see as really national."
Morse lost a tight battle in his district 50.9 percent to 49 percent. As he conceded defeat he pledged to continue to fight for gun control, according to USA Today.
"We as the Democratic Party will continue to fight," Morse said. "The highest rank in democracy is citizen, not senate president, so soon, along with many of you, I will hold that rank and there's nothing citizens can't accomplish when they put their minds to accomplishing it."
