Ayotte Slammed in New TV Ad

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, is being accused of voting to kill comprehensive background checks again in a new television ad paid for by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun political action committee, according to The Huffington Post.

The ad, called “False Alibi,” features a police chief from Chaska, MN, stating that ads defending Ayotte were incorrect. Chief Scott Knight claimed that the text of the bill mentioned in the ads loosened gun regulations for the mentally ill.

"Don't be fooled," Knight stated. "She voted to kill comprehensive background checks, making us less safe. That's a fact."

The ad is the latest in a volley of ads between detractors and defenders of Ayotte's vote against the Manchin-Toomey amendment. 

Update: Ayotte's office responds

Jeff Grappone, Ayotte's spokesman, offered the following: 

“New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group has spent nearly $2 million on false ads attacking Senator Ayotte. This is the same guy who tried to tell people they can’t drink a Big Gulp, and now he’s spending some of his billions trying to get Senator Ayotte to do what he wants. Senator Ayotte won’t be bullied by a billionaire mayor or anyone else –she casts votes for New Hampshire based on what she thinks is right.”

Grappone also noted that Chief Dick Crate (Enfield), Chief Mike Sielicki (Kensington), retired Chief Russ Lary (Grantham), retired Chief John Tholl (Dalton), and retired Chief Christopher Connelly (Dunbarton), have offered the following:

“The latest out of state attack ad from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg featuring a Minnesota policeman is appalling. He doesn’t know New Hampshire values, and he certainly doesn’t know Kelly Ayotte.

“Senator Ayotte voted to put teeth into the current broken background check system, including increasing prosecutions of those who illegally try to buy guns. The bill she voted for also gave states incentives to finally get mental health records into the background check system, and unlike the alternative bill it addressed the significant mental health gaps in our criminal justice system.

“Senator Ayotte has a long record of putting criminals behind bars, protecting children from predators, and working with victims of crime. She has deep support within the New Hampshire law enforcement community.”