Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona announced yesterday via Facebook that he would not support the compromise on background checks on gun sales hammered out by Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Flake’s comment:

Here are a few thoughts: Manchin-Toomey would expand background checks far beyond commercial sales to include almost all private transfers — including between friends and neighbors — if the posting or display of the ad for a firearm was made public. It would likely even extend to message boards, like the one in an office kitchen. This simply goes too far.

I support background checks. In fact, I believe background checks need to be strengthened, particularly as they relate to those with mental illness. To this end I’ve cosponsored S.480 with Senators Graham, Begich, and Pryor clarifying who should not be able to obtain a firearm due to mental illness. I believe our approach is preferable, and more workable, than the mental illness provisions in Manchin-Toomey.

I have a great deal of respect for Senators Manchin and Toomey. I believe they are coming at this issue with the best of intentions.

But I will oppose the Manchin-Toomey amendment.

Sen. John McCain told CNN’s State of the Union that he was “very favorably disposed” toward supporting the compromise:

I would like to thank Pat and Joe for their work together. We need to do a lot more of that. And I’m very favorably disposed towards that. Eighty percent of the American people want to see a better background check procedure. The Internet aspect of it, which I need more explanations—greater explanation of, but, look, I appreciate their work. And the American people want to do what we can to prevent these tragedies. And there’s a lot more that needs to be done particularly in the area of mental health.

Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly announced via email to supporters of Americans for Responsible Solutions that they were heading to Washington this week to lobby lawmakers to support the Manchin-Toomey amendment.

Talking Points Memo reports this morning that Manchin and Toomey are considering changes to their proposed amendment to get the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.

This article appears in Apr 11-17, 2013.

Getting hassled by The Man Mild-mannered reporter

6 replies on “Flake Won’t Support Manchin-Toomey Compromise on Background Checks”

  1. This is weak of Jeff Flake to not support the Manchin-Toomey bill. I hope that Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly will bring him around to support the bill and that Sen. Flake can get out from under the thumb of the National Rifle Assn.

  2. Interestingly in an article today, Arizona was rated fourth in the United States in gun violence.
    The day before an article rated it close to the bottom in states rated as good places to raise children. It is rated second from last in education in yet another study. Raise the standards! I’m not seeing evidence that Wild West mentality is achieving anything particularly productive. What will it take to stop the posturing and face the fact that it is not a weakness to compromise and that we live in a state which is one of the most gun violent in the nation?

  4. He posted his opposition on facebook in the evening, as the nation and Boston were reeling in shock from the bombings of the marathon. His position is cowardly, and the timing of his posting on Facebook just drives home his degree of cowardice. He does not represent me in any way, shape or form, I am a gun owner, I’m a veteran, I have a very long memory and I vote……there are many more just like me. He will be gone at his next election.

  5. I was beginning to wonder if he had forgotten who his constituents were. Apparently, we have reminded him.

    John McCain has forgotten, and is serving his last term in office.

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