Mayors Against Illegal Guns Thank Pat Toomey

A new TV commercial thanks U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for trying to expand gun background checks.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns on Thursday announced a new television commercial thanking Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) for co-sponsoring an amendment to expand background checks, according to Huffington Post. The ad urges Toomey, of Zionsville, Lehigh County, to keep fighting for background checks although Toomey has said he's turning his attention back to economic issues since his amendment failed in the senate. Toomey achieved his highest approval rating ever since brokering the unsuccessful compromise on background checks. The issue put Toomey in the national spotlight and he was even spoofed on "Saturday Night Live." Mayors Against Illegal Guns is backed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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Toomey: 'I Did What I Thought Was Right' on Background Checks

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey says he'll focus on economic issues now that his battle to expand background checks for gun buyers has failed.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Zionsville, Lehigh County sent the following E-newsletter message about the defeat of his compromise deal to expand background checks: I worked with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and the dangerously mentally ill to obtain guns while preserving the rights of law-abiding people to do so. The bill did not move forward in the Senate. This amendment would have helped enhance public safety while still protecting the Second Amendment. I understand the passions on both sides of this issue.  I did what I thought was the right thing for our country. I sought out a compromise position that I thought could move the ball forward on an important matter of public safety. My …

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Toomey Gun Control Amendment Fails in Senate

The Senate rejected Pat Toomey's attempt to expand background checks via a controversial gun control amendment voted on Wednesday afternoon.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey sounded unconcerned in a conference call Wednesday when a reporter asked about the possibility that his NRA rating would be downgraded because of his recent compromise move on gun control. "This is not about the NRA or politics for me," Toomey said. The Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks was narrowly defeated in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon. The vote was 54 yes to 46 no. Sixty votes rather than a simple majority were needed to pass the amendment. Toomey issued this statement just after the vote: “I did what I thought was the right thing for our country. I sought out a compromise position that I thought could move the ball forward on an important matter of public safety. My only regret is that our…

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'Saturday Night Live' Spoofs Toomey Gun Control Bill

Lehigh Valley's U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is in the national spotlight as debate over gun control continues.

An article in the National Journal calls U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Zionsville, Lehigh County an "unlikely savior" for gun control advocates and says that his agreement to expand background checks is the "last best hope for meaningful action" on gun control. Read the complete article here. Toomey was a key player in a deal reached last week deal to require that all criminal records and mental health records are added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and it would expand existing background checks to sales at gun shows or made online. The Toomey-Manchin bill was spoofed on "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend in a skit which Toomey acknowledged on Facebook and Twitter, according to a PoliticsPa report. His comment …

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Tea Party to Host Pro-Gun Lawmaker Friday

The Lehigh Valley Tea Party will host state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, who will talk about his bill to outlaw federal gun control in Pennsylvania on Friday in Palmer Township.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) will speak Friday at a Lehigh Valley Tea Party meeting about his legislation that would make any new federal gun control laws unenforceable within the Commonwealth. Metcalfe will speak at 7 p.m. at the Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township. The program is free and open to the public. “Passage of my legislation will send the message that there will never be additional gun control, anywhere in Pennsylvania,” said Metcalfe. “Whether by White House executive orders, congressional fiat, or judicial activism, we will never allow the left to benefit from the wicked acts of murderers in order advance their senseless gun-grabbing agenda which would only succeed in replacing one of our most sacred personal …

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Diner Owner Tells NPR Why He Openly Carries a Gun

The owner of a Lehigh Valley diner was recently interviewed on NPR as part of the ongoing debate over gun control and the right to bear arms.

Obama Seeks Sweeping New Gun Laws

President Obama said the laws, including universal background checks and a renewed ban on assault rifles, would lead to "fewer atrocities like the one that happened in Newtown."

Alongside Vice President Joe Biden and a group of children who had written in support, President Barack Obama signed a proposal to Congress Wednesday to strengthen United States gun laws, including universal background checks, limiting the number of bullets in a clip, and renewing a ban on military-grade assault rifles. "If America worked harder to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, there would be fewer atrocities like the one that occurred in Newtown," Obama said. Check out these related stories He listed some specific measures, including a 10-round limit on magazines for firearms, and asked congress to confirm Todd Jones to fill the long-dormant role of chief for the Bureau of Alchol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) — and briefly…

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Biden's Gun Policy Recommendations Come Today

The vice president has been meeting with parties on both sides of the gun control debate, as well as mental health advocates, as he crafts proposals in response to the Dec. 14 Newtown school shooting. And the NRA responds.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce sweeping policy changes to gun laws and mental health care on Tuesday, two weeks earlier than expected. In Pennsylvania, two lawmakers say they want teachers to carry guns. Biden's recommendations, at the request of President Barack Obama, are a response to the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that claimed the life of 20 first-graders and six educators. According to a report by the Huffington Post, Biden's proposals are likely to address the availability and access to certain types of guns and ammunition, and tackle the issue of data collection and background checks. While Connecticut State Police continue their investigation into the Newtown shooting, authorities have …

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Mom Who Shot Burglar is New Face of Gun Rights

Gun rights activists are embracing a young mother who shot a burglar in her home

A young mother protected her home and children by shooting a burglar five times, leaving him in critical condition. The Georgia woman took her children and hid in an attic space, but the intruder found them, according to Loganville Patch. Melinda Herman has now become a new face of gun rights amid the dramatic story of her defending herself and two children with a six-shot revolver. Vice President Joe Biden will present gun control recommendations on Tuesday as some lawmakers push for a renewed assault weapons ban in the wake of the Newtown school shooting a month ago in Connecticut. Patch users have posted more than 200 comments regarding assault weapons. NRA spokesman Wayne LaPierre has called for armed security at all schools while …

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Tell Us: Is 'Gun Appreciation Day' a Good Idea?

"On 01/19/13 go to your local gun store, gun range or gun show with your Constitution, American flags and your 'Hands Off My Guns' sign to send a loud and clear message to Congress and President Barack Obama," says coalition website.

A conservative group is hoping that tens of thousands turn out to show their support for gun ownership with their pocketbooks and picket signs the day before President Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term. The group, a coalition brought together for the event, declared Jan. 19 "Gun Appreciation Day." The hope is Americans nationwide will show their support for gun ownership by turning out en masse at gun stores, ranges and shows from coast to coast. Will you participate? Tell us in the comments section below. “The Obama administration has shown that it is more than willing to trample the Constitution to impose its dictates upon the American people,” said Gun Appreciation Day chairman Larry Ward in a press release.  The day comes as …

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