Let the people be heard

"The people have spoken and they say ..." is a common phrase used on media outlets from special interest groups. We have heard this many times in the past few days with respect to gun controls. In fact, the only people who speak are powerful groups of individuals who wish to only have their voices heard. I petition to allow for federal referendums on important social issues, which will allow the people to be heard, rather than special interest groups. A corollary petition is to ask the people whether they wish to belong to a society with tighter controls on automatic weapons and to limit the amount of ammunition. This particular example would not violate second amendment rights, as such weapons did not exist at that time, so could not have been included in that legislation.