Gun control group targets Grassley staffer running for House seat

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s (D-Ariz.) gun control group is running an ad against Republican House candidate David Young.

The ad titled “Loophole,” points out that Young opposed bipartisan efforts in 2013 to stop domestic abusers from buying guns without a background check. 

{mosads}“In Iowa, men convicted of domestic abuse can buy guns without a background check. David Young opposes closing the loophole,” the 30-second ad states. “The Washington gun lobby is spending thousands to elect Young, and Young’s approach let’s domestic abusers buy guns. To David Young, it’s about money and politics. To women in Iowa, it’s about our lives.”

Young served as Sen. Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) chief of staff at the time and helped block legislation from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) that would have required background checks on all gun sales.

Young is in a close race with Staci Appel for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district. Last year, Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) announced that be wouldn’t seek reelection after serving 10 terms in the House.

“While Staci Appel wants to close the loopholes that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to buy guns without a background check, David Young wants to protect those loopholes at all costs,” said Hayley Zachary, executive director of Americans for Responsible Solutions on Monday.

Giffords’s group is spending money all over the country to help pro-gun control candidates in the midterm elections. She formed Americans for Responsible Solutions after she was shot at a constituent event in Tucson, Ariz.