Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC Endorses Patrick Murphy for United States Senate
July 20, 2016 – Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC (ARS PAC) – the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly – today announced its endorsement of Congressman Patrick Murphy for United States Senate. Citing his support for a broad set of responsible gun violence prevention policies, ARS PAC declared Patrick Murphy its Florida Champion for Common Sense. Murphy is opposing Senator Marco Rubio, who has consistently voted against bipartisan proposals to reduce gun violence, including closing the loopholes in federal law that let dangerous people buy a gun without a criminal background check.
“Congressman Murphy is the best person in this race to fight for the responsible steps we need to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, prevent gun tragedies, and make Florida communities safer,” said ARS PAC Co-Founders Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly. “Where Senator Rubio voted to protect the loopholes that let felons and domestic abusers get guns without a background check, Congressman Murphy will be a strong voice in the United States Senate for closing those dangerous loopholes in our laws that put our communities at risk. We need more leaders like Congressman Murphy – leaders who will protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners like us but who also have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and stand up for common sense. We look forward to seeing Congressman Murphy be a voice for responsibility in the United States Senate.”
“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC and beyond grateful for Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly’s commitment to reducing gun violence in our country,” said Rep. Murphy. “We know that the majority of Americans and the majority of Floridians favor reasonable measures to keep guns out of the wrong hands and prevent gun violence. But we’re sorely lacking leadership in Congress to get commonsense proposals like closing background check loopholes and closing the terror gap across the finish line. In the U.S. Senate, I will always stand with Gabby and Mark in the fight to make Florida families and children safer from gun violence.”
In 2013, Senator Rubio voted against a bipartisan proposal to close the loopholes in federal law that let felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill buy a gun without a criminal background check, even though 91 percent of Floridians – including 88 percent of gun owners – supported the measure. In June 2016, Senator Rubio also voted against closing the so-called “terror gap,” which lets known and suspected terrorists legally purchase firearms. He has also declined to sign on to a bipartisan measure to protect victims of domestic violence and stalking by reducing abusers’ and stalkers’ access to firearms.
Congressman Murphy has voiced his support for all of these commonsense measures.