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Colorado and Oregon Voters Approve Historic Voter Initiatives to Close the Gun Show Loophole Americans for Gun Safety Spent $2.8 Million to Support the Measures; Victories Challenge Gun Lobby in Key Western States, Signal Potential Sea-Change in National Gun Debate Washington, DC—In an unprecedented outpouring of popular support for common-sense gun safety regulations, voters in Colorado and Oregon have approved historic ballot measures that close the "gun show loophole" by requiring that all firearm sales at gun shows in those states be accompanied by a criminal background check. The initiatives were approved by voters following the refusal of both states' legislatures to pass similar common-sense reforms, and in the face of heavy political spending by national opponents of gun safety legislation. With these ballot votes, Colorado and Oregon become the first two states in the nation to close the gun show loophole on a statewide basis through ballot initiatives. "The passage of these measures—Amendment 22 in Colorado and Measure 5 in Oregon—sends a clear message to policy makers across the country that the debate on guns has changed dramatically," said Jonathan Cowan, president of Americans for Gun Safety (AGS). AGS, a new centrist organization, provided the bulk of funding for TV and radio ad campaigns, phone banking, and direct mail promoting the initiatives in each state. The Americans for Gun Safety advertising campaign featured Republican Senator John McCain, Republican Sheriff Dan Noelle of Oregon, and Denver's top public safety official Ari Zavaras. The organization donated $200,000 to local groups working on the initiatives, spent nearly $1.85 million for TV ads in both states, and spent an additional $800,000 for radio, mailings and phone calls in support of the initiatives. Opponents of the measures spent about $1.7 million in both states combined. The Americans for Gun Safety campaign focused on the group's philosophy that the rights of gun owners should be respected, but that with rights come shared responsibilities to increase gun safety in our society. Polls showed support for the measure increased among key voter groups while the AGS ad campaign was running. "In the face of well-organized and well-financed public education campaigns, based on the rights and responsibilities approach, the arguments of those who oppose common-sense gun laws crumble," said Jonathan Cowan. "It's clear tonight that the voters of Colorado and Oregon demanded the closing of this dangerous loophole. We expect it to become increasingly clear in the months ahead that the rest of America agrees." In a statement, Senator McCain said, "I want to congratulate Colorado and Oregon voters for passing this common-sense proposal. The campaign to close the gun show loophole has not been about what's conservative and what's liberal. It's been about what's right and what's wrong. Today's vote, quite simply, is a victory for what's right." The two initiatives enjoyed bipartisan support, earning endorsements from many high-profile leaders of both political parties, including Senator McCain, Sheriff Noelle, Sheriff Kennedy, Denver's top public safety official Ari Zavaras, and Colorado Governor Bill Owens—indicating that common-sense gun measures, when clearly articulated and explained, transcend partisanship and appeal to a broad range of Americans. The initiatives also had the support of the National Association of Stocking Gun Dealers, an industry group that represents over 8,000 gun dealers nationwide. The gun show loophole, which allows prohibited persons such as convicted felons and children to purchase weapons at gun shows without background checks, is believed to be a primary reason that the shows, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, are a significant source of guns for criminals. All four of the guns used in the Columbine High School shooting were purchased at gun shows. "Coloradoans were shocked when, even after the tragic shootings at Columbine, our legislature failed to close this glaring loophole in the law," said SAFE Colorado Political Affairs Director Tom Mauser, father of slain Columbine student Daniel Mauser. "We've fought against very entrenched special interests in Colorado. Now, with the help of Americans for Gun Safety, the people have had their say and they've spoken clearly: no more gun show sales without criminal background checks." "Oregonians were not swayed by the gun lobby's scare tactics," said State Senator Ginny Burdick, a primary sponsor of Measure 5. "We had support from law enforcement, the medical community, parent, teacher, and community groups, gun owners and gun dealers. Oregonians from both parties understood the common-sense value of this measure." "We appreciate the strong support we received from Americans for Gun Safety," Sen. Burdick continued. "AGS provided Oregon voters with factual information about Measure 5 and counteracted the misleading information disseminated by the gun lobby in its attempt to defeat this common-sense measure." About Americans for Gun SafetyAmericans for Gun Safety is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization that supports the rights of individuals to own guns, and seeks better laws and tougher enforcement of existing laws to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children.
Taped copies of the new AGS ads featuring Sheriff Noelle and Mr. Zavaras, as well as the earlier ads featuring Senator John McCain, are available to accredited news organizations and can also be viewed at www.americansforgunsafety.com.
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