New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced a $12 million ad campaign will be launched by Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The TV effort will aim to push senators in key states to back gun control efforts, including comprehensive background checks.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair Bloomberg announced the bipartisan coalition of more than 900 mayors will air ads in key states during the upcoming Congressional recess demanding that political leaders take action to pass commonsense gun reforms.
“These ads bring the voices of Americans – who overwhelmingly support comprehensive and enforceable background checks – into the discussion to move Senators to immediately take action to prevent gun violence,” said Bloomberg. “We demanded a plan and we got one. We demanded a vote and we’ll get one. Now we’re doing what we can to pass a bill that will save lives.”
“While they are home for this recess, members of Congress will hear directly from their constituents who support sensible gun law reforms like expanded background checks,” said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. “The legislation is on the table – it’s time for our leaders in Washington to act.”
Ads airing in key states, “Responsible” and “Family,” feature a gun owner who understands that supporting background checks goes hand in hand with defending the Second Amendment – and his family. The $12 million ad buy will air spots in the following states – represented by both Democrats and Republicans – where they can most influence the upcoming Senate vote:
Arizona – Senator Jeff Flake (R)
Arkansas – Senator Mark Pryor (D)
Georgia – Senator Saxby Chambliss (R) and Senator Johnny Isakson (R)
Indiana – Senator Joe Donnelly (D) and Senator Dan Coats (R)
Iowa – Senator Chuck Grassley (R)
Louisiana – Senator Mary Landrieu (D)
Maine – Senator Susan Collins (R)
New Hampshire – Senator Kelly Ayotte (R)
Nevada – Senator Dean Heller (R)
North Carolina – Senator Kay Hagan (D)
North Dakota – Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D)
Ohio – Senator Rob Portman (R)
Pennsylvania – Senator Pat Toomey (R)
The Senate is expected to vote next month vote on gun control. Senators will consider a ban on assault-weapon sales as an amendment – but it is not likely to pass. Supporters lack the necessary votes, Senate majority leader Harry Reid has said.
The National Rifle Association and some Republicans in Congress oppose the expanded background checks.
Wayne LaPierre, NRA CEO, said Bloomberg’s ad campaign won’t persuade the public to support gun restrictions: “They sure don’t want him telling what self-defense firearms to own,” LaPierre said on Meet the Press. “And he can’t buy America.”
For what it’s worth, comments on news of the campaign have been largely skeptical. Under one story, a commenter said: “The “expanded background check” makes felons out of all of us. The goal of the campaign is to pit recreational hunters against those whom carry for defense. The expanded background check will make a felon of you just for loaning your firearms to your own spouse, or even to a neighbor while hunting or plinking. It’s not about saving lives or gun control, it’s about people control.”
