All the media hype and Democrat talking points aside, gun control is so unpopular that even Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) voted against Monday’s expanded background checks proposal.
Politico reports that the proposal, put forth by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), would have put universal background checks in place, outlawing private gun sales online and at gun shows. It drew Manchin’s “opposition,” although his failed 2013 gun control bill was essentially the same thing.
Manchin was not the only Democrat to oppose expanding background checks. Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) were among other Democrats who opposed it, as well.
The proposal was defeated 44-56.
This speaks to the level of popularity–or unpopularity–of gun control. During the last three years, Manchin has repeatedly renewed his push for expanded background checks. But when the rubber hit the road on expanded background checks, he voted “no.”
Manchin is up for re-election in 2018.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
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