Any wind still left in the sails of gun-control advocates likely died--at least for now--when Colorado voters successfully recalled two state senators on Sept. 10. This stern punishment came after state lawmakers toughened regulations on background checks and limited the size of ammunition magazines.
The vote was a rout. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg led a team of deep-pocketed out-of-towners in trying to rescue state senate president John Morse and his colleague Angela Giron, both Democrats. But the grassroots rebellion, fanned and funded by the National Rifle Association and other conservative groups, was more motivated. Said Bernie Herpin, the Republican...