GunsSome Democrats face a tough choice on gun control measures

At risk because of gun control stance: Sens. Max Baucus (D., Mont.), Mary Landrieu (D., La.), Mark Pryor (D., Ark.), Jay Rockefeller (D., W.V.), Tim Johnson (D., S.D.), and Kay Hagan (D., N.C.). // Source: freebeacon.com

As the gun control debate continues, and different proposed bills are being considered on the Hill,  Democrats in red states are facing a tough decision, as their support for gun control measures may become a drag on their re-election prospects in  the 2014 congressional elections.

There are thirty-five Senate seats in 2014, of which Democrats have to defend twenty-one. Almost half of those seats, and dozens more in the House of Representatives, are in places were gun control has a little support.

Hispanic Business reports that the push by President Obama and many Senate  Democrats for measures such as assault weapons ban, ammunition magazine size limit, and universal background checks, the cost may well be the loss of Democratic control of the Senate, where Republicans need a net gain of six seats to become the majority.

“Gun control is going to be a loser in a number of states where Democrats need to pick up seats,” Jennifer Duffy, Senate election analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report,told Hispanic Business.

There is bipartisan support for universal background checks and magazine size limits in the wake of the Sandy Hook mass shooting, but when it comes to restricting gun use and the sale of guns, opposition by gun rights advocates is substantial.

For example, Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) faces a tough re-election race next year.

“The more pro-gun he is, the better it is for him,” Ivan Moore, an Anchorage-based nonpartisan political strategist told Hispanic Business. “This is a very heavy pro-gun state.”

The Senate could vote on a range of gun control proposals later this year, but for some Democrats such as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), a gun rights supporter, it will be a tough line to walk between supporting the party and making sure they get re-elected.

In 2010, the National Rifle Association contributed to Reid’s campaign, but did not support him because of his vote on two Obama-appointed Supreme Court Justices.

Reid said he does not think an assault weapons ban will pass, but also said he would not stand in the way of votes on proposals.

“We’re going to have votes on all kinds of issues dealing with guns. And I think everyone would be well advised to read the legislation before they determine how they’re going to vote for it,” Reid told Hispanic Business.

It is not clear, however, whether the gun issue would as important in political clculations as it appears now. Issues such as  immigration, cybersecurity, and the economy may well move to the front once the post-Sandy Hook attention to the issue wanes.