ENVER (Reuters) - Two Colorado state lawmakers who supported tougher gun control laws following the shooting massacre at a movie theater last year face recall elections on Tuesday, with legislators across the country on both sides of the debate awaiting the outcome.
The recall races, the first in Colorado history, are part of a national debate over gun control that so far has resulted in few new laws being passed. If the recalls succeed, they could have a chilling effect on lawmakers throughout the country the next time they vote on gun control measures.
The recall targets the president of the state senate, Democrat John Morse of Colorado Springs, who helped lead efforts to ban ammunition magazines with more than 15 rounds and to require background checks for private gun sales and transfers in the state.
Democrat Angela Giron of Pueblo also faces a recall in races that have seen a blistering campaign of negative ads from both sides. Polls open at 7 a.m. local time, although early voting began on Monday.
The gun control measures were passed after 12 people were killed and 58 injured in a rampage at a Denver suburban movie theater that police said was carried out by a 24-year-old graduate student armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and a pistol.
Gun rights advocates sought the elections as a way to send a political message to current and future legislators that the bills had gone too far with efforts to curb firearm access. Opponents view the recall effort as a bullying tactic.
The recall races, the first in Colorado history, are part of a national debate over gun control that so far has resulted in few new laws being passed. If the recalls succeed, they could have a chilling effect on lawmakers throughout the country the next time they vote on gun control measures.
The recall targets the president of the state senate, Democrat John Morse of Colorado Springs, who helped lead efforts to ban ammunition magazines with more than 15 rounds and to require background checks for private gun sales and transfers in the state.
Democrat Angela Giron of Pueblo also faces a recall in races that have seen a blistering campaign of negative ads from both sides. Polls open at 7 a.m. local time, although early voting began on Monday.
The gun control measures were passed after 12 people were killed and 58 injured in a rampage at a Denver suburban movie theater that police said was carried out by a 24-year-old graduate student armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and a pistol.
Gun rights advocates sought the elections as a way to send a political message to current and future legislators that the bills had gone too far with efforts to curb firearm access. Opponents view the recall effort as a bullying tactic.
Colorado
thanks for not voting guys...
