By Staff Reporter |
Arizona Democrats who won on Election Day may have signaled a willingness for bipartisanship in their victory statements, but their key backers are indicating the contrary may be the case.
Among them was GIFFORDS, a leading gun control group founded by Gabrielle Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman and wife to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The nonprofit published a press release on Thursday declaring the Arizona election results to have ushered in a “gun safety trifecta” in the state.
GIFFORDS PAC, the nonprofit’s political action committee affiliate, expressed confidence that Arizona Democrats’ historic flip of both chambers of the legislature, combined with the reelection of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, would result in the passage of their preferred gun control reforms. The organization endorsed Hobbs and key legislative candidates, among other Democratic candidates in the state.
“Arizona has seen too much senseless gun violence, and years of Republican control of the state legislature has stalled lifesaving reform. But voters have spoken, and it’s clear they want leaders who will enact commonsense gun safety laws,” said Giffords. “I have full faith that Governor Hobbs will build on the progress she’s already made for Arizona families and she will work to create a safer future for the Grand Canyon State.”
Democrats haven’t had control over both chambers in 60 years, which was also the last time they held a trifecta: control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers.
Democrats also enjoy a triplex: control of the offices of the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.
GIFFORDS has assigned Arizona an “F” ranking on its Annual Gun Law Scorecard. The organization would impose an “A” ranking if Arizona were to impose certain mandates and bans on gun ownership.
The organization is advocating to mandate:
- Universal background checks
- Owner licensing, limiting gun purchases to individuals who pass a background check and periodic licensing renewals to include safety training courses and tests
- Extreme risk protection orders, also called “red flag laws,” suspending gun ownership for those deemed a danger to themselves or others by the court
- Waiting periods for the purchase of guns; current states with waiting periods require purchasers to wait anywhere from three to 30 days.
- Concealed carry permits, issued by law enforcement and restricted to those over the age of 21 and proven “suitable” to carry
- Child access prevention laws like those existing in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Rhode Island
The organization also seeks to ban:
- Open carry, but if a ban isn’t possible then limiting open carry to those who pass a background check and safety training standards, and require open carry firearms to be unloaded and permitted only in certain locations
- Assault weapons, such as the AR-15 and other semi-automatic firearms
- Large-capacity magazines
- Ownership for individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order or convicted of a violent misdemeanor against a former or current dating partner, cohabitant, or family member
GIFFORDS claimed victory in all 17 key state legislative races where they had endorsed candidates: 11 in the Arizona House, and six in the Arizona Senate.
In the Arizona House:
- LD 2, Stephanie Simacek (incumbent)
- LD 5, Aaron Marquez (incumbent)
- LD 9, Lorena Austin (incumbent) and Jacob Martinez
- LD 11, Oscar De Los Santos (incumbent)
- LD 13, Racquel Armstrong and Jacob Weinberg (both seats flipped)
- LD 16, Julia Gusse (seat flipped)
- LD 17, Hollace Lyon (seat flipped)
- LD 18, Nancy Gutierrez (incumbent)
- LD 23, Mariana Sandoval (incumbent)
In the Arizona Senate:
- LD 2, Amelia Gallitano (seat flipped)
- LD 9, Kiana Sears (incumbent)
- LD 13, Kristie O’Brien (seat flipped)
- LD 17, Edgar Soto (seat flipped)
- LD 18, Priya Sundareshan (incumbent)
- LD 23, Brian Fernandez (incumbent)
GIFFORDS also endorsed incumbent Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and challengers JoAnna Mendoza, who flipped the Congressional District 6 seat, and Amish Shah, who flipped the Congressional District 1 seat.
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