Nov 17, 2016 2 min read

An editorial opinion from the Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre:

The presidential election’s sweeping rejection of the status quo extends to states on the issue of firearms safety.

Gun control ballot measures were approved in Nov. 8 in California, Nevada and Washington state. Nevada voters approved a mandate for universal background checks for firearms sales. Although Maine voters barely rejected a similar ballot measure, background checks already are in effect in 19 states and Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania requires background checks for handgun sales. In Washington, voters gave judges the power to restrict gun ownership among people who may endanger themselves or others, such as accused domestic abusers. California voters approved a referendum banning large-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring some people to pass background checks in order to buy ammunition.

While Congress remains safely in the pocket of the gun lobby, firearms-safety reformers also have bypassed bought-off state legislatures to take their case directly to voters. Stricter gun control measures and background check requirements draw widespread support in public opinion polling.

The results Nov. 8 indicate voters generally respond positively to sensible restrictions when the choice is theirs. The Lancet, a British medical journal, recently published a study concluding that if universal background checks were implemented nationally, U.S. gun deaths could decline by 57 percent.

More than 90 people are killed daily by firearms in the United States. Taking the case for sensible regulation directly to the voters provides the best hope for the future of reform.