PHILADELPHIA, PA — Pat Toomey attempted to distract from his glaring political problems by dropping new TV ads this week. But in characteristic Toomey fashion, one of the new spots is thoroughly disingenuous. Contrary to the ad’s claim, on gun safety, he does not get it.
Toomey, who earns an “A” rating from the NRA, hopes Pennsylvanians forget his record of:
- Opposing an amendment to make it harder for potential terrorists to buy guns
- Being “strongly opposed” to an assault weapons ban
- Voting against limiting high capacity magazines
- Voting to make it harder to require background checks on private firearm transfers
- Voting to allow mentally incapacitated veterans to obtain firearms
Even in regards to the obvious reference of Toomey’s ad to his failed background check amendment in 2013, Toomey is being deceptive. Just last year, a pro-gun group “says Toomey promised to back off background checks.” Despite what his dishonest ad says, that’s no “profile in political courage.”
BACKGROUND:
SEN. TOOMEY VOTED AGAINST KEEPING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF DANGEROUS TERRORISTS
Sen. Toomey Voted Against Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Dangerous Terrorists. In December 2015, Toomey voted against an amendment that would prevent individuals on the terror watch list from purchasing firearms. [Washington Post, 12/03/15; S. Amdt. To HR 3762, Vote #319, 12/03/15]
TOOMEY “STRONGLY OPPOSED” AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
Toomey “Strongly Opposed” Banning Assault Weapons Or High-Capacity Magazines. “Toomey noted in a later conference call with reporters that he remained ‘strongly opposed’ to banning assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/10/13]
TOOMEY VOTED AGAINST LIMITING HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES
Toomey Voted Against Limiting High Capacity Magazines. In April 2013, Toomey voted against: “Blumenthal, D-Conn., amendment no. 714 that would prohibit the future production, import, sale, transfer or possession of ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds, with exemptions for law enforcement officials. It would also allow law enforcement grant funds be used to buy back semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition clips.” The amendment was rejected 56-54. [CQ, 4/17/13; S.Amdt. 714 to S. 649, Vote 103, 4/17/13]
Toomey Voted To Require 60-Vote Majority For Any Gun Legislation, Including Prohibiting Possession Of Certain Types Of Guns, Limiting The Size Of Ammunition Clips Or Requiring Background Checks For Private Firearm Transfers. In March 2013, Toomey voted in favor of a: “Lee, R-Utah, motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Murray, D-Wash., point of order against the Lee amendment no. 673 for not being germane. The Lee amendment would create a 60-vote point of order against certain legislation related to gun policy, including prohibiting the possession of certain types of guns, limiting the size of ammunition clips or requiring background checks for private firearm transfers.” The motion was rejected 50-49. [CQ, 3/23/13; S.Amdt. 673 to S.Con.Res. 8, Vote 87, 3/23/13]
TOOMEY VOTED TO MAKE IT HARDER TO REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PRIVATE FIREARM TRANSFERS
Toomey Voted To Require 60-Vote Majority For Any Gun Legislation, Including Prohibiting Possession Of Certain Types Of Guns, Limiting The Size Of Ammunition Clips Or Requiring Background Checks For Private Firearm Transfers. In March 2013, Toomey voted in favor of a: “Lee, R-Utah, motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Murray, D-Wash., point of order against the Lee amendment no. 673 for not being germane. The Lee amendment would create a 60-vote point of order against certain legislation related to gun policy, including prohibiting the possession of certain types of guns, limiting the size of ammunition clips or requiring background checks for private firearm transfers.” The motion was rejected 50-49. [CQ, 3/23/13; S.Amdt. 673 to S.Con.Res. 8, Vote 87, 3/23/13]
TOOMEY VOTED TO ALLOW VETERANS TO OBTAIN FIREARMS EVEN IF THEY ARE MENTALLY INCAPACITATED
Toomey Voted To Allow Veterans To Obtain Firearms Even If They Are Mentally Incapacitated, Incompetent Or Experiencing An Extended Loss Of Consciousness. In April 2013, Toomey voted in favor of: “Burr, R-N.C., amendment no. 720 that would prevent veterans who are mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being deemed ‘a mental defective’ and blocked from owning guns unless a court finds that the individual poses a danger to himself or others.” The amendment was rejected 56-44. [CQ, 4/17/13; S.Amdt. 720 to S. 649, Vote 102, 4/17/13]
SEN. TOOMEY ABANDONED GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION WHEN CONFRONTED BY GUN RIGHTS GROUP
Sen. Toomey Abandoned Gun Safety Legislation When Confronted by Gun Rights Group. “A gun-rights group planned to protest outside U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s legislative offices last weekend, but scuttled the rallies after receiving what it says were indications that the lawmaker would not reintroduce his gun background-check bill.” [Morning Call, 9/15/15]
TOOMEY SAID HIS IDEA OF GUN CONTROL WAS “STEADY AIM”
Toomey Said His Idea Of Gun Control Was A “Steady Aim.” “In many political races, candidates winning the Democratic and Republican primaries move to the center for the general election to woo moderate voters. That really isn’t happening in the race for the U.S. Senate. […] Sestak has said that Toomey has the same position on the issue as O’Donnell and former Alaska Gov. and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He criticized Toomey for saying that his idea of gun control is a ‘steady aim.” [Northeast Times, 10/27/10]
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