In an advertisement airing on television stations across California, gubernatorial frontrunner Gavin Newsom is painting Republican rival John Cox as a Trump-supporting, gun-toting challenger who opposes gun control.
It's a response to an attack ad from Cox in which he says Newsom "panders to the anti-gun crowd." It's meant to highlight the stark difference between Newsom and Cox on guns, but the strategy could also help the San Diego businessman consolidate support among Republicans and Trump backers.
In Newsom's ad, images flash across the screen of Cox next to Trump and Wayne LaPierre, head of the National Rifle Association.
Script
Why is John Cox attacking Gavin Newsom for supporting common sense gun safety?
John Cox stands with Donald Trump and the NRA.
Cox called gun laws a "waste of time," opposes background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
Gavin Newsom? Gavin Newsom took on the gun lobby and won, passed California's first comprehensive gun safety initiative. As governor, Newsom will stand with the students to put a stop to gun violence. Gavin Newsom. Courage for a change.
Analysis
Newsom's ad is mostly spot on, though it's not accurate to imply that Cox opposes all background checks for gun purchases.
Although his campaign website makes no mention of background checks, Cox campaign manager Tim Rosales told The Sacramento Bee that Cox supports an instant law enforcement background check, done automatically at the point of sale, but he opposes California's mandatory 10-day waiting period.
It's true that Newsom led an initiative in 2016 toughening California's already strict gun control laws. Proposition 63 instituted background checks for ammunition purchases, outlawed high-capacity magazines, created new
