Philadelphia’s WHYY: Some Dems insincere on gun law reforms, Toomey and Manchin say

In the wake of recent mass shootings, Democrats have been holding high-profile press conferences on gun control in Washington.

Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania put his neck out a few years ago by pushing a provision to modestly tighten background checks. While it would seem to make sense for Democrats to reach out to this Republican in their latest efforts, most have no. And Toomey says that shows they’re not serious.

“The only way we’re actually going to be successful is if it’s bipartisan and balanced. If the Democrats want to just make it politicized, that doesn’t get us any progress,” Toomey said.

In 2013 Toomey teamed up with West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin on the background check bill. Facing intense lobbying from the NRA, it failed by six votes. Toomey said he’s still behind the effort, even if gun rights groups oppose it.

“I still fully support the approach that Sen. Manchin and I pursued, and I continue to discuss with him and others on how we might go forward,” he said.

The Democrats’ latest push ranges from keeping guns out of the hands of those under a restraining order to tightening federal background checks. Even Manchin admitted his party’s leaders are playing with the issue.

“Everything here is politicized,” he said. “Everything in Washington is politicized.”

Bipartisan route is only way to change

If Democrats want a policy solution and not just a campaign issue, Manchin said, they need to start reaching across the aisle.

“I’m here basically telling you the Manchin-Toomey bill was introduced two and half years ago. It was bipartisan then. and it’s bipartisan now. It will stay bipartisan,” he said. “Now I’ve talked to, Pat we’re working it hard. We still have the Republican support we had before, we just need more of it.”

DIVE DEEPER: Read or listen to full LCB exclusive at WHYY.