If Congress can't show their backbone on gun control,

[Frustratedlady]

why can't they put the issue on the 2014 or 2016 ballot? Let US tell them what we want? Can that only be done state by state? If so, why?

It is obvious that congresscritters don't listen to the people on many issues. They aren't voting for US, they are voting for their jobs.

[graham4anything]

1. Support the Great Equalizer and the Mayors against Guns, and it will be on the 2014 ballot everywher

[NaturalHigh]

2. The 2nd Amendment thing...

You know - the Constitution. It was covered in your junior high Civic or Social Studies class.

As far as I'm concerned, Congress is showing some backbone by not passing some feel-good, useless laws that will take away rights from law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to curb gun violence.

[oldhippie]

3. Because there are no National Ballots .....

why can't they put the issue on the 2014 or 2016 ballot? Let US tell them what we want? Can that only be done state by state? If so, why?

I would suggest a high school Civics textbook. Congress persons represent the people in their states and districts, not the whole country. There are no National elections, it's all done by state.

[kudzu22]

4. It is on the ballot

You vote for people who will pass such legislation, and vote against those who won't. If you get enough of them in Congress, the bill passes.

[LynnTTT]

5. Wouldn't have saved Newtown kids,

All of the talk about background checks exclude giving a weapon to a family member,

Adam Lanz got his weapons from his mother's gun cabinet. She could have given him the guns as a present. And further,who will be prevented from obtaining a gun?if Adam was seeing a psychiatrist for depression, would he have been prevented?

[Travis_0004]

6. In a way, the people already have spoken, and they will again in 2014.

People vote for congress. People elected Harry Reid (who has an A rating from the NRA), if people didn't like Harry Reid's pro gun stance, they wouldn't have voted for him. So by getting rid of the AWB language, he is doing what he promised to do.

If you want an AWB passed in 2014, then vote for people who will support it. I won't vote for anybody who supports an AWB. We can add up the votes in 2014, put some new people in congress, and if enough new people are voted in, they will pass an AWB.