West Virginia senator won't back down, continues to push for wider background checks for guns

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia refuses to apologize for his failed attempt to expand background checks on guns, while remaining an advocate of the rights of gun owners. Speaking this week in Beckley, W.Va., Manchin told a crowd, "Let me ask you this point-blank. Do you think it's unreasonable if you went to a gun show or online that there'd be a background check? That's all we're talking about," Chris Frates reports for the National Journal. (Associated Press photo by Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The background-check measure was defeated in April, falling six votes short of stopping a fillibuster. Manchin blamed the National Rifle Association, which responded in June by running ads asking him not to support background checks. Manchin responded with his own ads, urging the NRA to support background checks.

"Everywhere he goes, Manchin paints his proposal as a simple fix to close loopholes that allow some gun-show and Internet buyers to avoid background checks," Frates writes. "It's an attempt to better keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. It's not a government gun grab. In fact, he argues, his plan would strengthen gun rights. Still, Manchin knew, in a culture as steeped in guns as the Mountain State, he was going to pay a price for pushing any increased gun control."

Manchin told the crowd, "You think I didn't know that when I looked at the background-check bill that it wasn't going to be as hot as anything can possibly (be) in my state? You think politically that was a smart move for me? Not at all. It was a stupid move, politically."

But Manchin doesn't like to change his stance just to sway voters. "Whether it's special interests or party bosses, Manchin spends a lot of time reminding his constituents that he's not beholden," Frates writes. "He's constantly giving political-geography lessons where his GPS puts him squarely in the middle, working to bring Democrats and Republicans together on the big issues of the day."

A source who has worked closely with the senator told Frates, "Manchin doesn't want to fall in line, he wants to do his own thing. It's really hard to get him to execute an agenda that's very systematic. The reason he does these things like cutting deals with Republicans is because they're more willing to meet him where he is."

Manchin told Frates he's going to keep looking for a way to expand background checks. "As he walked back to his car, Manchin talked about how important it is to meet people on their turf. West Virginians, he said, "shake your hand, look into your eyes, and see into your soul. They have to. It's survival in some tough territories. You can't bullshit them." (Read more)