Sanders takes heat from gun control group ahead of debate

A prominent gun control group is criticizing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ahead of the first Democratic presidential debate.

In contrast to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, who has made gun control a top campaign issue, Sanders has a mixed record on guns that concerns many gun control advocates.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is pressing Sanders to take a stand for gun control during the debate on Tuesday evening. They’re asking Sanders to explain why he voted in favor of Republican legislation back in 2005 that protects the gun industry from lawsuits.

As a senator, Clinton voted against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and says she would push to repeal it as president. Another Democratic presidential candidate, Lincoln Chafee, also voted against the legislation when he was a Rhode Island senator.

“Each of you on stage has vowed to take action to stop gun violence,” the Brady Campaign noted. “Some of you have suggested that a good place to start is eliminating a law that gives gun dealers and manufacturers legal immunity that no other industry has, even in cases where gun dealers negligently supply criminals with firearms.

“Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Chafee voted against it in the Senate. Senator Sanders voted for it,” the group continued. “Please explain why each of you voted the way you did.”

Sanders also angered gun control advocates by voting against the original law requiring background checks before gun sales in 1993. However, he more recently switched positions and voted in 2013 for expanding background checks to cover all gun sales.