“I have a perfect track record with the NRA,” said Sen. Pat Toomey less than two weeks ago, in a rare moment of honesty on the campaign trail. This boast and his broad record run contrary to the biggest myth in this election: that Pat Toomey is a pragmatic leader in the Senate. Voting 93-percent of the time with the Republican Party and earning a near-perfect score from the Koch brothers isn’t leadership. Supporting tax breaks for those at the very top and loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas isn’t pragmatism.
And despite putting his name on a failed background check amendment three years ago, Pat Toomey’s record on gun violence prevention is not all that different than the worst Republican partisans in Congress:
Here are the facts:
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Toomey opposed an amendment to make it harder for potential terrorists to buy guns
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Toomey “strongly opposed” an assault weapons ban
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Toomey voted against limiting high capacity magazines
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Toomey voted to make it harder to require background checks on private firearm transfers
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Toomey abandoned gun safety legislation when confronted by gun rights group
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Toomey joked that his idea of gun control was “steady aim”
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 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 ABANDONED GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION WHEN CONFRONTED BY GUN RIGHTS GROUP
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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