McCain changes tack on gun background check

Senator, in ad, urges screening for buyers at gun shows

PORTLAND, Oregon (CNN) -- Arizona Sen. John McCain, acknowledging his position on a contentious gun issue has "evolved," is featured in a new advertising campaign urging voters in Oregon and Colorado to support statewide ballot initiatives next month.

At issue in the November 7 election are measures in both states that could close the so-called "gun show loophole" that allows purchases at shows without criminal background checks.

The development could complicate McCain's efforts to help fellow Republican George W. Bush's presidential bid.

It also puts McCain at odds with the National Rifle Association, which opposes the measures. "Some people are not very happy about it," the senator said Thursday.

But McCain seemed unworried by any negative reaction. "It wouldn't be fun without it," he said, laughing.

Currently, background checks are performed on those buying guns from federally licensed dealers. People purchasing from private traders -- such as those at gun shows -- are not screened.

Oregon's Measure 5 and Colorado's Amendment 22 would remove that exception and require people who buy firearms at gun shows to undergo background checks.

VIDEO Watch the Oregon ad Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Text of Oregon's Measure 5 (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™) Colorado General Assembly Amendment 22 - Background Checks at Gun Shows (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™) Click here to download the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ National Rifle Association Oregon Gun Owners     MESSAGE BOARD Guns Under Fire

A television ad for the ballot measures began Wednesday in the two states. In the 30-second spot, McCain says that because of a legal loophole, felons have bought and sold thousands of guns at shows. "Many were later used in crimes," McCain says. "That's wrong."

McCain, who in the Senate voted against legislation that would have closed the loophole on a national level, now says his position has changed.

"I do believe my view has evolved," McCain said.

He credited his change of heart to mass shootings such as the one at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, when 12 students and a teacher were killed and 23 others hurt by two teen-aged gunmen, who then committed suicide.

Three of the four weapons used in the assault were bought at a gun show by an 18-year-old friend of the two killers.

McCain, who was defeated by Bush in this year's Republican presidential primaries, has endorsed the Texas governor's run for the White House.

Nevertheless, the senator's turnaround has raised eyebrows in the Bush camp because it puts the one-time Bush foe back in the national spotlight while also having McCain at odds with the generally GOP-friendly National Rifle Association.

The NRA has spent $75,000 opposing Colorado's Amendment 22.

Bush supports requiring gun show dealers to conduct instant background checks, but he is against proposals that would allow up to three days for the screenings. The FBI has estimated that 95 percent of the screenings conducted by federally licensed gun dealers go through in two hours.

A Bush campaign official told CNN that Bush and McCain agree "on most issues including enforcing gun laws."

Airtime in both states for the McCain ad has exceeded $1 million, paid by billionaire marketing mogul Andrew J. McKelvey, founder of Americans for Gun Safety.

The new group promises a middle-ground approach in the gun debate -- defending the right to bear arms but asserting that the right comes with a responsibility to embrace common sense restrictions.

McKelvey, a Republican, recruited McCain to break a stereotype of gun-control advocates as liberal Democrats, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Oregon state Sen. Ginny Burdick, a Democrat, said McCain's appearance in the ads will help characterize Measure 5 as common sense backed by all, including gun owners.

John Hellen, a lobbyist for Oregon Gun Owners, said it will do little to reduce gun violence as promised. He recommends stiffer penalties for armed crimes.

Oregon Gun Owners is running an intensive, statewide radio ad campaign targeting conservative Democrats and independents concerned about privacy and government intrusion.

CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King and The Associated Press contributed to this report.