Recalled Colorado senator: We can beat the gun lobby -- we already have

A wide range of special interests that have never been concerned about efforts to curb gun violence were more than happy to let the national gun lobby take the lead in the campaign to remove us from office. The industrialist Koch brothers were also heavily involved in the recalls, which probably owed more to our efforts to limit harmful carbon emissions than our efforts to limit gun violence.

Legislators fearful of speaking their conscience should remember that various supporters came to our aid as well. While the news media seemed to care only about contributions from Michael Bloomberg, equally robust support came from organizations supporting workers, conservation groups, women’s groups and thousands of individual donors, to say nothing of the efforts of groups such as Colorado Ceasefire, Americans for Responsible Solutions and Moms Demand Action. …

Our story is not the cautionary tale the gun lobby would have you believe it is. Beneath the disappointment of not starting the 2014 legislative session with our colleagues, I feel a sense of peace and pride. There is now a counterbalance to the national gun lobby and a growing base of outspoken supporters. Politicians who have the courage to do the right thing and stand up to the gun lobby will from now on have the support of organizations willing to stand with the majority of Americans who want common-sense gun laws.