Local newspapers in the gun-friendly states of West Virginia and Pennsylvania are embracing the compromise to expand background checks offered by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), describing the amendment as a “common sense” proposal and a “middle ground” that can help advance the gun debate.
Gun & Ammo magazine reports that 55 percent of West Virginians and 34.7 percent of Pennsylvanians are gun owners and ranks the states as the 21st and 20th “best states for guns,” respectively. Both Manchin and Toomey received an A-rating from the National Rifle Association.
Under their measure, individuals who buy firearms at gun shows or online would have to undergo a background check that would be recorded with a federal firearm licensed dealer. Personal transfers would be exempt.
“A Pennsylvania lawmaker has done something that’s hard to find these days in Washington — he compromised,” read the lede for Lancaster’s Intelligencer Journal. “Proposal may make Toomey a political giant,” roared Harrisburg’s The Patriot-News. West Virginia press was similarly complimentary of Manchin, praising the freshman senator for brokering the deal and for recognizing that “Newtown changed us all.” Here is a sampling of the headlines:
