Yesterday, Americans for Responsible Solutions, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Astronaut Mark Kelly, announced its endorsement of Patrick Murphy in Florida. The group touted Murphy’s support for commonsense gun safety reforms, including closing the terrorist gun loophole and increased background checks.
This endorsement by a leading gun violence prevention organization highlights the stark contrast on gun safety between Patrick Murphy and Marco Rubio, who callously used the Orlando tragedy to justify his re-entry into the race.
Despite the fact that last week gun safety advocates held a sit in at his Orlando office calling on him to take action, Rubio never met with or talked with the advocates. And while Murphy has been endorsed by Giffords and Kelly’s organization, Rubio had his staff shield him from a phone call with Captain Kelly on the pending gun safety legislation in the Senate.
From the Huffington Post:
A top aide to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) directed staff not to let a prominent gun control advocate get on the phone with the senator to discuss a bill that would bar suspected terrorists from buying guns — less than two weeks after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history took place in the senator’s state.
…Then, J.R. Sanchez, Rubio’s senior policy adviser and director of outreach, weighed in, apparently not realizing that the gun control group was still on the thread: “Then let it be staff. I would not expose SMR to this type of call or meeting.”
“Marco Rubio and Patrick Murphy couldn’t be more different on where they stand in fighting for commonsense gun safety reforms,” said DSCC Spokesperson Sam Lau. “While Murphy’s work to keep Florida communities safe earned him the endorsement of Gabby Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, Rubio couldn’t even be ‘exposed’ to speak with Captain Kelly about bipartisan ways to reduce gun violence in Florida and across the nation. It’s clear that while Marco Rubio will follow the NRA’s marching orders and hide, Patrick Murphy stands up for the gun safety measures Floridians want. That’s the kind of Senator Florida deserves.”
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