Vulnerable GOP senators side with NRA on gun votes

Just over four months to the election, and facing pressure from their Democratic opponents, most Republican Senate incumbents opted for consistency despite the political frenzy days after the worst mass shooting in modern American history.

A lone gunman, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and injured 53 at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, prompting fresh calls for tighter restrictions on weapons.

[...] four amendments — two Democratic and two Republican — failed in a deeply divided Senate.

In turn, Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, called the votes "embarrassing" and said "the safety of the American people is taking a back seat to political theater."

Kirk, facing a strong challenge from Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, supported the Democratic background checks bill and another Democratic measure to allow the government to deny gun sales to suspected terrorists.

New Hampshire is home to some of the nation's most lenient gun laws, but Ayotte's approval rating fell after she voted against expanding background checks following the 2012 shooting at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school.