Toomey is from the most pro-gun state north of the Mason-Dixon Line. He does not need to do this for political reasons. He's just succumbing to the Beltway Flu early in his Senatorial career.
Maybe in 1994 but PA has changed to left much since then (they are moving West) and in 2004 they booted Santorum ~ 10 years ago. Its pretty liberal now as Obama’s victory gives evidence.
More than that it may look like the filibuster team didnt do their job to court enough others in the Senate GOP to join them, maybe pre-emptively declaring they will filibuster any bill no matter whats in it wasnt the greatest idea for stopping this.
I want to see whats in the bill. I want to see how Dems react to it.