Alexander Votes to Cut Off Gun Filibuster, But Vows to Expand Second Amendment Rights

Is Sen. Lamar Alexander ready to put country over party yet?

a couple of years ago when he gave up his spot on the Senate GOP leadership team? Or is he still playing the role of crazy wingnut to prevent a tea party challenge to his reelection next year?

The answer landed today in our email box: a statement from Alexander explaining why he voted to stop the filibustering of gun control legislation. He's not even thinking about supporting universal background checks. No, he's vowing to amend the bill to expand gun rights somehow. To underscore his point on this serious topic of gun violence, our senator thought it was appropriate to make this cute little reference to the Grand Ole Opry.

I’m always ready to defend and debate the Second Amendment constitutional rights of Tennesseans. In fact, I look forward to sponsoring and voting for amendments that strengthen those rights. To be unwilling to defend and debate Second Amendment rights on the Senate floor would be like joining the Grand Ole Opry and being unwilling to sing.

Update: Lamarvelous says he'll vote against the Toomey-Manchin amendment. “I’ll examine each amendment to determine whether it strengthens or infringes upon our Second Amendment rights,” Alexander said. “The Toomey-Manchin proposal to expand background checks in my opinion doesn’t meet that test and I will vote against it.”