After decades of decline, gun ownership is rising among Democrats.

Opponents of a major new gun law say they have collected a bit less than half of the signatures they need by early next month to suspend the measure until voters get a chance to decide its fate in 2026.

A group of gun owners and Second Amendment supporters, who dubbed themselves The Civil Rights Coalition, are “very confident” about gathering enough voter signatures before an Oct. 9 deadline that marks the next hurdle en route to giving voters the final say on one of this legislative session’s most sweeping laws.

Opponents of a major new gun law say they have collected a bit less than half of the signatures they need by early next month to suspend the measure until voters would potentially get a chance to decide its fate in 2026.