The state of public safety for America is on the brink of major change as national midterm elections loom for 2026, and gun control organizations have never invested so much in the cause. Successes for gun safety messaging in Virginia prove just how effective gun safety messaging campaigns have become at offering compelling politics for historic shifts in established crime and safety stories. What will shape policies regarding public safety for America at all levels is largely dependent on the politics surrounding gun rights and safety concerns.
Elections in Virginia show gun safety politics’ power
The gubernatorial election in Virginia brought to the fore a significant changeover for gun safety activists, as Abigail Spanberger’s resounding win marked a historic moment for gun safety activists everywhere. A former Moms Demand Action campaign volunteer, Abigail, flipped the paradigm of gun safety activists being “soft on crime” by being trusted by a wide margin on law enforcement/public safety concerns. This indicates gun safety activists don’t necessarily have to put themselves on the defensive against “soft on crime” attacks by their opponents.
The electoral success did not end at the gubernatorial level but also trickled down to gun safety advocates experiencing down-ballot success in the state of Virginia. All thirteen Moms Demand Action volunteers won their elections for House of Delegates to gain additional seats and establish a historic Democratic majority where gun safety volunteers now represent twenty percent of the group. This demonstrates a shift at the basic level at which gun safety groups influence politics and policies.
“Abigail Spanberger flipped the script on crime, with voters trusting her far more than Winsome Earle-Sears to keep families safe (60%-35%) and uphold law and order (59%-36%),” according to Everytown’s post-election polling data.
Legislative scorecards highlight stark partisan divisions ahead
A report from the Gun Violence Prevention Action Committee for 2025 indicates 60% of lawmakers received A grades on legislation regarding safety measures for the public. Only 30% did not support safety legislation measures. The assessment was conducted on eight major bills focusing on preventing dangerous individuals from acquiring weapons, preventing children’s access to weapons, and enforcing already established gun laws. This is expected to cause heated debates regarding safety measures for the future.
The adopted laws have also attracted widespread criticism among lawmakers in Illinois for policies relating to gun safety laws, such as safe gun storage laws, limiting gun access to those involved in domestic violence cases, and enhancing the collaboration between law enforcement agencies. It is expected that these policy debates will become even more heated as politicians prepare for campaigns for the 2026 election cycle, as voting records will become major points of discussion for voters to make informed decisions.
Messaging strategies redefine storytelling around crime
Messaging frameworks have been constructed by gun safety activists to overcome the historical edge enjoyed by Republicans on crime and safety and allow for new opportunities for Democrats to gain ground in contested districts. It is also shown to work to highlight opposition to rational gun safety measures among MAGA supporters and to point to law enforcement experience held by respective candidates to appeal to suburban voters whose decisions will determine 2026 election outcomes.
The 2026 midterm election cycle will challenge whether or not the success achieved in gun safety messaging within the state of Virginia can be reproduced at a national level for gun safety activists seeking to broaden their reach within politics beyond areas traditionally supportive of democratic politics. Given the reality that gun violence continues to be one of the most prevalent causes of death for children and teenagers in America, it is increasingly urgent to implement effective policies to deal with this reality.
