Sellout #2. Fitzpatrick

[PocketProtector]

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Toomey's deal on gun background checks riles rightBy Gary Weckselblatt Staff Writer 04/10/2013 5:34 PM

One of the Senate's most conservative members is taking heat from the right after agreeing to a deal with a key Democrat on background checks for all commercial gun sales.

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said he found "reasonable common ground" during his work on a compromise with West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.

"Criminals and the mentally ill should not have guns," Toomey said Wednesday in a conference call with Pennsylvania media. I"That's not a controversial idea. Background checks are not a perfect solution, but they do help."

Toomey supports broadening the background check system that currently covers sales only by licensed gun dealers. The compromise would apply to all commercial sales, including transactions at gun shows and online. The sales would have to be channeled through licensed firearms dealers, who would have to keep records of the transactions.

Private transactions that are not for profit, such as those between friends or relatives, would be exempt from background checks.

"I don't think keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals is gun control," Toomey said, "it's common sense."

Conservative groups did not see it that way, and made no bones about their displeasure.

Erick Erickson, editor of the conservative RedState, took a big swipe. On his web site he wrote that "Arlen Specter would be so proud of Pat Toomey giving the Republicans cover to go left. ... This proposal will scratch the itch to do something, but will do nothing at all except expand bureaucracy."

The National Rifle Association sent out a statement that read, in part, "Expanding background checks at gun shows will not prevent the next shooting, will not solve violent crime and will not keep our kids safe in schools."

Heritage Action, which advocates for conservative legislation, also pounced: "lawmakers will not get a pass on any bill that infringes on the constitutional rights of the American people."

Steve Onufrey, a founding member of Concerned Gun Owners of Bucks County, said he had yet to see the legislation but is wary.

"Politicians have been ignoring the root causes of this," he said. "None of this is going to prevent another Sandy Hook or another Aurora, Colo. It's an emotional reaction the left is throwing out that we have to do something."

Toomey did receive accolades from groups pushing for various forms of federal gun control.

Mary Avino, who started Bucks Against Gun Violence, said she is "thrilled" Toomey supported background checks. "I'm very happy about that. If that's the best we can get, we appreciate his support."

Two groups that have organized local rallies recently -- Mayors Against Illegal Guns and CeaseFirePA -- each thanked Toomey for his leadership on the issue.

"This legislation will make us safer and will keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them," said Shira Goodman, executive director of CeaseFirePA.

While Toomey was making his announcement in Washington, state Rep. Steve Santarsiero, D-31, was in Harrisburg calling on the House to vote on his HB 1010. It requires all sales and transfers -- except those within a family -- to undergo a universal background check, including sales by non-licensed sellers.

Kathleen Kane, the state's attorney general, was on hand to support Santarsiero's effort.

"We chose to begin the legislative campaign for gun safety with a background check bill because (we) are reasonably assured that, in an area of policy fraught with rancor and division, it would be one goal that a broad spectrum of legislators can agree to," Santarsiero said.

Despite the agreement between Toomey and Manchin, the fate of gun legislation remains unclear, clouded by opposition from the NRA and many Republicans and moderate Democrats in the Democratic-led Senate and the Republican-run House. Many critics say the effort would violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms and burden law-abiding gun owners.

Area House members signaled support for the deal.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, R-8, said he supports the "broad ideas" of Toomey's proposal.

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, D-13, who has called for a ban on the sale of so-called military style assault weapons and limits on magazines, said the public has been "strongly outspoken in support of common-sense measures regarding gun safety, especially on the urgent need to strengthen background checks."

In a statement, she went on to "applaud" Toomey and Manchin for "bipartisan leadership."

Congressman Patrick Meehan's statement said the plan "takes effective steps to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them, and it protects the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans."

[mikelets456]

The public is not in support of "common sense" measures. Matter of fact it's dropped 17 points since Sandy Hook. Also, we're a representative republic and the constitution is the law of the land. Public opinion does not mean jack. If you want to change it then vote it properly 2/3,2/3 and 3/4 of the states. I guarantee it will fail.

[Qtrborecrazy]

Da Schwartz has to keep repeating herself just to make sure she is not crazy.

[CenterTree]

Toomey supports broadening the background check system that currently covers sales only by licensed gun dealers. The compromise would apply to all commercial sales, including transactions at gun shows and online. The sales would have to be channeled through licensed firearms dealers, who would have to keep records of the transactions. < That means REGISTRATION.

Private transactions that are not for profit, such as those between friends or relatives, would be exempt from background checks.

So, "not for profit" means that is you sell a gun for the same price as you bought it, then you would not need to have a background check? WHAT?

And between "friends or relatives" could mean that if you state someone is your friend, then no background check?? Again, WHAT?

I love just love "common sense" laws.

[7998]

When you're getting congratulated by schmucks like Schwartz, Schumer and you're a Republican. Right there you have to know you Fucked up.

[PocketProtector]

When you're getting congratulated by schmucks like Schwartz, Schumer and you're a Republican. Right there you have to know you Fucked up.

And if you don't, as seems the case, what could you possibly know?

[7998]

And if you don't, as seems the case, what could you possibly know?

That you'll be back working in the private sector soon.

[bluedog46]

The public is not in support of "common sense" measures. Matter of fact it's dropped 17 points since Sandy Hook. Also, we're a representative republic and the constitution is the law of the land. Public opinion does not mean jack. If you want to change it then vote it properly 2/3,2/3 and 3/4 of the states. I guarantee it will fail.

You are right. That is what people do not get. Opinion does not matter in many cases, but the Constitution is SUPREME.

[vinlander]

Notice how they are trying to co-op the term 'gun safety'?

By making it indistinguishable from 'gun control' they are linking the two in people's brains and automaticallymake you think it is part of responsible gun ownership to be for registration and bans.

This is right out of Orwell's 1984, where language has been politically twisted to change the very way people think.

Look up newspeak and doublethink on the Internet.

[BobFromBucks]

I missed this post earlier today when I posted the latest Fitzpatrick statement.

Overnight he has gone from supporting to vowing to introduce the equivalent to the Toomey bill in the House.