Mixed results in the Virginia senate elections.

Of the three Democratic candidates running on strong gun control platforms one was elected to a previously open seat and two lost to incumbent Republicans. The two losses held the incumbents to the narrowest margin of victory in their political careers.

Though the Senate remains in Republican hands it appears that a strong gun control platform is not a guaranteed defeat. Incumbency and gerrymandering are difficult to overcome but in an off year election to have such narrow margins for gun rights advocates is, if not encouraging, at least not totally discouraging.

2016 is a Presidential election year and with the increased Democratic voter turnout it will bring could see a different outcome in purple states.