Gun safety group launches ads against GOP lawmaker in crucial Nebraska district

The gun safety group Giffords, launched by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), is rolling out $1 million in advertising criticizing Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who is running for reelection in a pivotal House district in Omaha.

The $1 million ad buy, part of a larger $15 million investment by the group in the 2024 election, is expected to include ads both streaming digitally and on television “speaking directly to women voters in opposition to Rep. Don Bacon,” according to the group, which first shared its plans with The Hill.

“I watch the news and I can’t help but wonder — is she safe?  So it’s terrifying that Congressman Bacon’s on the side of the corporate gun lobby,” says a mother in a 30-second ad launched by the group.

“No wonder he opposed criminal background checks for gun sales. Bacon even voted against legislation to keep guns away from domestic abusers,” the mother continues. “Don Bacon looks out for the gun lobby. I wish he’d look out for us instead. The truth is Don Bacon is too extreme.”

Bacon voted against several pieces of legislation in 2021 that would have required a background check on firearm sales and another that would have bolstered background check procedures. He voted against similar legislation in 2019.

“There is no question that loss of life due to gun violence is traumatizing and heartbreaking, but we cannot ignore the fact that the numbers do not show background checks, gun registries, and other measures will work,” Bacon said in a statement in 2021.

“The facts are that only about 1.3 percent of prisoners who used a firearm during a crime, obtained that gun from a retail source using their own name, and less than one percent obtained it at a gun show,” he continued. “They were obtained from someone else, on the street, or found at the scene of the crime. We must legislate on the facts, work to enforce our laws, and protect our Second Amendment rights.”

The ad also alludes to Bacon voting against the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Versions of the bill in 2019 and 2021 had included a provision to address the “boyfriend loophole,” which would have stopped individuals convicted of stalking from being able to possess a firearm.

Bacon noted in a statement in 2021 that he supported the Violence Against Women Act and voted to extend it, but he argued the new legislation “being pushed by Speaker Pelosi, includes dangerous provisions and mandates that make it more unsafe for women in shelters and prisons.”

Bacon campaign communications adviser Danielle Jensen criticized Giffords and his opponent, state Sen. Tony Vargas (D), in a statement responding to the ad.

“It doesn’t matter if this DC anti-Second Amendment group spends $1 or $1million, they [can’t] hide the fact that Tony Vargas is anti-cop and not one law enforcement officer has endorsed him,” Jensen said.

“Local law enforcement have been clear that the best way to tackle gun violence is to keep violent offenders behind bars. In 2020, Vargas voted for LB 1004, allowing those convicted of violent crimes like domestic abuse, sexual assault on a child, and armed robbery to be released early,” she continued, referring to legislation that would have allowed parole to be considered earlier for offenders.

“In 2017, he voted against mandatory minimum sentencing for serious drug felonies (LB 447),” she added, referring to legislation that eliminated mandatory minimum sentencing on certain class felonies.

Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which Bacon represents, is among a handful of swing House districts that will determine control of the lower chamber in November. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Bacon’s seat a “toss up,” though Bacon is running against Democrat Tony Vargas, whom he defeated in 2022.

Updated at 2:36 p.m.