Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) announced in a Facebook post Monday night that he will vote against the Manchin-Toomey background check compromise legislation, declaring that it “simply goes too far.”
“I have a great deal of respect for Senators Manchin and Toomey,” Flake wrote. “I believe they are coming at this issue with the best of intentions. But I will oppose the Manchin-Toomey amendment.”
His full statement:
In a previous post I said that I wanted to study the Manchin-Toomey proposal before commenting on it.
Here are a few thoughts: Manchin-Toomey would expand background checks far beyond commercial sales to include almost all private transfers – including between friends and neighbors — if the posting or display of the ad for a firearm was made public. It would likely even extend to message boards, like the one in an office kitchen. This simply goes too far.
I support background checks. In fact, I believe background checks need to be strengthened, particularly as they relate to those with mental illness. To this end I’ve cosponsored S.480 with Senators Graham, Begich, and Pryor clarifying who should not be able to obtain a firearm due to mental illness. I believe our approach is preferable, and more workable, than the mental illness provisions in Manchin-Toomey.
I have a great deal of respect for Senators Manchin and Toomey. I believe they are coming at this issue with the best of intentions.
But I will oppose the Manchin-Toomey amendment.
