PA Bill Number: HB1472
Title: In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons and for late contributions ...
Description: In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons and for late contrib ...
Last Action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT
Last Action Date: Apr 22, 2024
PA-Sen: McGinty Challenges Toomey on Guns :: 10/06/2015
Guns have once again move to the forefront of the 2016 Senate race.
In the wake of the shooting in Roseburg, Oregon Democratic candidate Katie McGinty is calling on Sen. Pat Toomey to take legislative action.
After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, Toomey co-sponsored legislation to expand background checks. The bill failed to make it out of the Senate. Last month, the McGinty campaign accused the Senator of backing away from this legislation because of pressure from a pro-gun group.
“Two years ago, following the devastating tragedy at Sandy Hook, you did the right thing when you co-sponsored and introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013,” McGinty writes in an open letter to the incumbent.
“The press recently reported that you will not be reintroducing your legislation,” she continued. “I hope that you will reconsider and I urge you to reintroduce the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act.”
PoliticsPA reached out to the Toomey campaign but did not receive a response.
The full text of McGinty’s letter to the Senator is included below:
Dear Senator Toomey:
Two years ago, following the devastating tragedy at Sandy Hook, you did the right thing when you co-sponsored and introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2013. That legislation would have made it more difficult for criminals and the mentally ill to purchase firearms by expanding background checks to include firearms purchased at gun shows and other private sales.
In Oregon last week we once again witnessed another tragedy due to senseless gun violence, but it is not an isolated incident. Sadly, there have been 142 school shootings since that tragic day in Connecticut in 2012.
As someone who served in the White House, I know that passing meaningful legislation takes time and repeated, persistent effort. It can be a frustrating and disappointing exercise. But I also know that if you are truly committed to doing the right thing – and you truly believe in your efforts – you do not let failure deter you. You keep on trying until you secure the votes needed to pass the legislation.
Last week’s event in Oregon serves as a tragic reminder that we cannot give up when it comes to making our communities safer from the scourge of gun violence. We cannot walk away from passing important legislation that will save lives simply because there is well funded opposition.
As someone who grew up in a household with avid hunters, I believe that commonsense gun safety legislation is not incongruent with the 2nd Amendment. Responsible hunters and sportsmen know that some safeguards are needed to prevent tragedy.
The press recently reported that you will not be reintroducing your legislation. I hope that you will reconsider and I urge you to reintroduce the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act.
This goes beyond politics. Now more than ever, we need leadership on this critical issue. Lives depend on it. I hope that you will act.
Sincerely,
Katie McGinty
http://www.politicspa.com/pa-sen-mcginty-challenges-toomey-on-guns/69734/
