Sen. John McCain says he is in favor of background checks

Sen. John McCain said Wednesday he is in favor of background checks for purchasing weapons.

While speaking from the Senate floor on the Manchin-Toomey Background Checks Amendment, McCain said he is committed to protecting to American’s Second Amendment rights, but feels that background checks could reduce gun violence.

“Just as I have long defended the Second Amendment to the Constitution, I have also long believed that it is perfectly reasonable to use available tools to conduct limited background checks, as this amendment prescribes, to help ensure that felons and the mentally-ill do not obtain guns they should not possess. In my view, such background checks are not overly burdensome or unconstitutional.”

McCain went on to say that background checks are not the perfect solution to prevent gun violence, but said it is a reasonable request and is in line with the Constitution.

Arizona’s other senator, Jeff Flake, said Monday on his Facebook page that he opposes the Manchin-Toomey Background Checks Amendment because he feels it goes too far.