As If You Needed Another Reason to Vote

New data suggests that gun owners have a real opportunity to help move the country in the right direction in November.  According to the results of a Gallup poll released on Monday, "a majority of U.S. registered voters, 53%, say they are less enthusiastic about voting than in previous elections, while 35% are more enthusiastic."

The elections are six months away, of course, and Gallup points out that "Americans give more thought to the election as it draws nearer."  However, the firm adds, "the lower level of engagement at this point compared with similar points in prior years may indicate that overall voter turnout will be lower than in the last two midterm election years."

If Gallup's poll accurately forecasts voter apathy later this year, it shows that a strong turn-out by gun owners could make the difference in many close contests, while giving an extra margin of safety in races in which candidates favored by gun owners currently hold an advantage.

President Barack Obama isn't on the ballot this year, but his gun control agenda is, in practical terms.  Therefore, solidifying the pro-Second Amendment majority in the House of Representatives and strengthening our position in the Senate could prevent Mr. Obama from getting "universal checks" and bans on "assault weapons" and "large" magazines through Congress.  Just as important, enough victories in Senate races could prevent the president from getting radical gun control-supporting nominees placed on the federal courts.

Gallup broke its data down by respondents' political affiliation, but didn't distinguish between the attitudes of gun control supporters and opponents.  Therefore, gun owners should leave nothing to chance.  All should try to get at least one additional voter to accompany them to the polls on Election Day.

Gun control supporters have tried to convince us that it really doesn't matter what gun owners do, because more restrictions on the right to arms are inevitable.  A strong showing at the polls this year could give gun control supporters a dose of reality of which they are sorely in need.