On June 16 , 2016 , the Washington Post reported that " ' pro-gun ' Bob Casey " had become " an evangelist for gun control laws " . After the Sandy Hook school massacre in December 2012 , he had " completely flipped his views " on several gun issues , largely as a result of having been " accosted " by his wife and daughter . " Casey has since embraced every major proposal to counter gun violence , " reported the Post , " including a renewed ban on assault weapons and enhanced background checks before gun purchases . " In the wake of the Orlando Pulse massacre , he unveiled the Hate Crimes Prevention Act , which would have prevented persons convicted of hate crimes from purchasing weapons . He said he had never really thought about the gun issue until Sandy Hook , " coasting along with Pennsylvania 's traditional pro-gun views in a state where the National Rifle Association has held sway for decades " . After Sandy Hook , he " found it unacceptable that the NRA opposed any new laws "
Sandy Hook school massacre
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
Bob Casey Jr.