While it is great that Republicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency, yesterday’s election wasn’t all good news for gun rights. There were gun laws on the ballot in four states, the results weren’t all good.

Maine’s Universal Background Checks – Failed

Let’s start off with the good news. Maine’s “Question 3” for Universal Background Checks did not pass by a vote of 711,758 to 661,069 – only 51.85% to 48.15%. Only 50,689 votes made the difference between victory and defeat for this gun law.

California’s Background Checks for Ammo and Magazine Ban – Passed

The passing of California’s Prop 63 is a huge blow for gun owners in “Commiefornia.” Businesses that sell ammo must purchase a license and all ammo purchases must have a background check. People who wish to buy ammo must also purchase a permit. The cost of exercising your 2nd Amendment rights has gone up in California.

But worst of all, “large-capacity magazines,” or as gun owners call them, standard capacity magazines, are now illegal. Not only are they illegal to buy, but all existing magazines must be destroyed.

This passed by 5,284,020 votes to 3,128,437 – a passing of 62.81%.

Nevada Universal Background Check – Passed

Nevada passed Question 1’s Universal Background Check by 558,586 to 548,685. Only passed by 50.45%, or only 9,901 votes. If only 9,902 pro-gun people got out and voted, this would not have happened in Nevada. This is why it is important for EVERYONE to get out and vote.

This new law requires background checks to sell a firearm even between individuals – the exceptions being law enforcement agencies, immediate family members, executors of estates upon the death of the firearm’s owner, and of antique firearms.

Thankfully the law was better written than Oregon’s universal background check and there’s an exception for temporary transfers allowing people to “transfer” a firearm during recreational shooting and for self defense purposes.

Washington Individual Gun Access Prevention by Court Order – Passed

Of the three anti-gun laws that passed, Washington’s Initiative 1491 is the most ripe for abuse. It passed overwhelmingly by 71.24% with 1,395,031 to 563,138. On it’s surface, the law sounds great – like most anti-gun laws do. After all, who wants an abusive spouse to own a gun?

This law allows guns to be confiscated by court order if the person poses “extreme risk” to others. If a person is considered to be a significant danger to himself or herself or others, this “extreme risk protection order” can be authorized by the government. Unfortunately, this means guns can be confiscated without due process and little evidence required.

This is why it is important to get out and vote

Nevada’s universal background check was passed by such incredibly slim margins, and Maine’s was prevented by such slim margins. This just goes to show how every vote is important and there is no excuse to not get out and vote.