Gun control advocates joined Hillary Clinton in slamming Democratic primary opponent Bernie Sanders’ record on guns.
“This is a sign of the times that Bernie Sanders feels compelled to misrepresent his past on gun issues…but that does not make it acceptable.” Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence president Dan Gross told reporters on a conference call Monday. “The fact is that Bernie Sanders does not have the record he is trying to claim. In fact he has a pretty disgraceful record.”
Sanders voted against the Brady Bill five times and and for protecting gun manufacturers’ immunity. Since beginning his campaign, the Vermont senator has spoken broadly of gun control legislation and imposing restrictions on firearms. The Brady Campaign recently endorsed Clinton, and Gross claims that Sanders didn’t change his stance on guns until “Hillary Clinton called him out.”
The conference call, which was organized by the Clinton campaign, comes as Sanders surpasses the former secretary of state in polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
“It’s one thing to try and backtrack and to say you changed your position it’s a completely another thing to try and woo voters with your record that is untrue,” Gross added. “This is dangerous … and makes us less safe.”
Gross added, “If he wants to understand what it looks like to stand up to the gun lobby, to really take them on, he should look at Hillary Clinton.”
