SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The husband of former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly, appeared before Oregon legislators on Thursday to speak in favor of expanded background checks for gun sales, as Republicans contended the Democrat-proposed legislation is “political posturing” as Oregon’s May primary nears.

Kelly spoke at a contentious public hearing before the state Senate Judiciary Committee, which began examination of a bill that would expand background checks to include private party gun sales. Kelly said he and Giffords support gun rights for sport, self-defense and “part of our national heritage.” But he said Oregon’s current law has “a loophole you could drive a small truck through” that could allow criminals to obtain guns through sales arranged privately.