Gun controls win over Republicans with small majorities
Lawmakers in swing states are giving up decades of party orthodoxy on gun ownership

US Republican politicians facing tight elections are embracing gun control measures, in an effort to win over moderate voters, a review has found.
Analysis by Reuters shows the fall-out from last month’s Parkland school shooting, which claimed the lives of 17 students and teachers and sparked a nationwide debate on gun restrictions, has shifted the message for Republicans in swing states.
Over half of Republican incumbents facing re-election in November in key districts analysed by the news agency have publicly embraced new gun control measures in the wake of the shooting on 14 February.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However limited the shift, “it shows that lawmakers who will depend on the votes of moderates and independents to win tough swing-district races are deviating from decades of party orthodoxy on gun ownership”, says Reuters.
Republican candidates in safer seats are more likely to stick to the party line on guns.
Gun control has long been a divisive issues in American politics. The National Rifle Association is one of the most powerful and feared lobbying organisations in Washington, capable of making or breaking candidates.
But the tide could finally be turning. A recent Ipsos poll found three-quarters of Americans favour banning military-style assault weapons, while nearly nine in ten supported expanding background checks for gun buyers.
Gun control is anathema to many in the Republican party, but if public opinion begins to shift decisively in favour of more restrictions political expediency could trump ideology – or even fear of the NRA.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How global conflicts are reshaping flight paths
Under the Radar Airlines are having to take longer and convoluted routes to avoid conflict zones
-
Zohran Mamdani: the young progressive likely to be New York City's next mayor
In The Spotlight The policies and experience that led to his meteoric rise
-
The best film reboots of all time
The Week Recommends Creativity and imagination are often required to breathe fresh life into old material
-
Trump's strikes on Iran: a 'spectacular success'?
In Depth Military humiliations 'expose the brittleness' of Tehran's ageing regime, but risk reinforcing its commitment to its nuclear program
-
Will NATO countries meet their new spending goal?
today's big question The cost of keeping Trump happy
-
GOP races to revise megabill after Senate rulings
Speed Read A Senate parliamentarian ruled that several changes to Medicaid included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" were not permissible
-
Trump plans Iran talks, insists nuke threat gone
Speed Read 'The war is done' and 'we destroyed the nuclear,' said President Trump
-
Trump embraces NATO after budget vow, charm offensive
Speed Read The president reversed course on his longstanding skepticism of the trans-Atlantic military alliance
-
Bibi's back: what will Netanyahu do next?
Today's Big Question Riding high after a series of military victories, Israel's PM could push for peace in Gaza – or secure his own position with snap election
-
Trump judge pick told DOJ to defy courts, lawyer says
Speed Read Emil Bove, a top Justice Department official nominated by Trump for a lifetime seat, stands accused of encouraging government lawyers to mislead the courts and defy judicial orders
-
The ambiguous legal state of ectopic pregnancy care
The Explainer Rep. Kat Cammack's accusations of 'fearmongering' are the latest example of how mixed messages are complicating the debate around abortion