Gun Control Advocate Manchin Fires Back at NRA (VIDEO)

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has been a punching bag for the National Rifle Association since he introduced a measure for expanded background checks for gun purchases alongside Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., last year and now he is finally hitting back, according to the Washington Post.

For years Manchin has been endorsed by the NRA as an A-rated member. An ad released by the gun advocacy group attacks Manchin for failing to honor his "commitment to the second amendment," and trying to push the "gun control agenda" of President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, according to MSNBC.

The NRA feels so strongly about the issue that they have spent $100,000 on ads attacking the Senator from West Virginia, an interesting move since Manchin isn't up for reelection for five more years, according to Policymic.

In response Manchin has released a new ad assuring voters in West Virginia that he hasn't changed in his support for the Second Amendment.

"West Virginia, you know me," Manchin says in the ad as he strolls with a rifle through some woods. "I haven't changed, and you know I've always fought for our gun rights."

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Unlike many of his Democratic allies Manchin doesn't necessarily strike out at the NRA, instead he says he is a member of the gun advocacy organization and he urges voters to call the offices of the NRA to get them to reverse course when it comes to background checks.

"I'm a lifetime NRA member, but I don't walk in lock step with the NRA's Washington leadership, this administration or any special interest group," Manchin says in the ad. "I believe that we can protect the Second Amendment and make our communities safer. I think most law-abiding gun owners agree with me."

In an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Manchin explained how he feels that Wayne LaPierre and the leadership of the NRA have lost their way.

"The bottom line is, the leadership of the NRA in Washington has changed," Manchin said. "In 1999, background checks were good. And you know what? I haven't changed. Four million NRA members, I believe, haven't changed. But the leadership has changed. We need to question. We need to call them [and ask] 'Why have you changed?'"