Politico: Gun Control Becomes Litmus Test for Democrats

Democrats who at one time enjoyed the National Rifle Association's "A" ratings are now starting to shift their positions, reflecting voters who almost all support more strict gun laws and while fighting against their more pro-gun control challengers.

"It's now a wedge issue, not just between Democrats and Republicans, but between Democrats, over who can be the strongest on this issue," Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, told Politico.

Her organization is part of an advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Democrats at one time allowed more moderate members to lean more toward the pro-gun side of the debate, especially in swing districts where their stances kept them close to the NRA and allowed them to win elections.

For example, in Ohio, former Gov. Ted Strickland, who once enjoyed NRA support, is being fought for the Ohio Senate primary by Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld campaign, who is pushing hard on Strickland's former embrace of guns.

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