philadelphia seek re-election u.s. senate seat november pennsylvania pat toomey make unusual claim sole republican nationwide run endorsement top u.s. gun control advocate gabby giffords michael bloomberg pair endorsements could give first-term senator edge democratic challenger katie mcginty former environmental official white house pennsylvania governor office race one handful close contest nov. could determine whether republicans currently 54-46 majority maintain control senate candidates target educate moderate voters particularly philadelphia suburbs many may turn rhetoric republican presidential candidate donald trump accord political analysts pennsylvania mcginty call support gun control measure strong toomey work hard dismiss endorsements giffords bloomberg tout endorsement pennsylvania anti-gun violence group giffords consider hero many gun control advocate democratic former u.s. congresswoman arizona survive shoot 2011 assassination attempt become activist gun restrictions bloomberg billionaire former new york city mayor consider run presidency year since leave office focus much energy gun control mcginty call toomey commitment gun safety paper thin note republican incumbent receive rat influential national rifle association gun right lobby group first senate run 2010. issue gun right potent nation right keep bear arm enshrine constitution second amendment nra oppose candidates support gun control efforts include restrict type firearms people expand background check require gun buyers many republicans side nra many democrats support gun control opinion poll show toomey race virtually tie even democratic presidential nominee hillary clinton lead trump several percentage point state vote democratic past six presidential contest start 1992. pennsylvania home rural communities hunt popular pastime big cities include philadelphia pittsburgh crime gun violence major concern shift attitudes gun state embolden party pennsylvania distance nra stance oppose almost effort restrict gun right state law mandate background check private handgun sales already go beyond federal law say terry madonna director franklin marshall college poll lancaster pennsylvania pennsylvania substantial hunt fish culture madonna say hunters oppose that toomey position gun set apart republican u.s. senate counterparts try attract moderate keep conservative voters column telephone interview toomey say giffords bloomberg endorsements recognize hard thing politically also emphasize belief gun owners share position strong second amendment supporter toomey say see contradiction support insist background check people get right second amendment dangerous criminals dangerously mentally ill terrorists deny firearm way can giffords also endorse illinois senator mark kirk another republican run re-election though bloomberg weigh race email mcginty tell reuters toomey moderate come gun violence time side gun lobby instead right keep communities safe mcginty say pat toomey completely run away legislation expand background check since fail pass senate three years ago toomey make headline 2013 follow elementary school massacre newtown connecticut democratic senator joe manchin west virginia introduce legislation expand background check gun buyers nationwide legislation fiercely oppose nra fail senate toomey gain praise democrats buck majority party vote similar bill mass shoot last year san bernardino california support republican-backed legislation congress year follow orlando nightclub shoot restrict access firearms people official terrorism watch list mcginty back strict democratic-backed version none measure pass mcginty call toomey gun control position weak favor sweep restrictions ban military-style assault weapons high-capacity ammunition clip toomey oppose recent television ad mcginty use clip toomey tell voters summer perfect record nra nra yet release rat issue endorsement race toomey call mcginty political opportunist point support giffords bloomberg idea somehow get wrong katie mcginty opponent right laughable say story correct senator mark kirk home state illinois ohio 15th paragraph pennsylvania senate race unfamiliar battle line gun right