Gulp: Sens. Manchin and Toomey set to unveil fed background check 'deal;' Tea Party activists upset with 'traitor'; Update: Heritage Action is not pleased

Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey announce a press conference tomorrow on background checks. Do they have a deal?

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) April 10, 2013

The @NRA has been informed of details of Manchin/Toomey compromise, sources close to the negotiations say. Unclear if they'll oppose.

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) April 10, 2013

Gun deal? Joe Manchin and Chuck Schumer talking with Pat Toomey: if it holds they'll announce tomorrow background checks + internet sales

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) April 9, 2013

"Deal"? RT @jamiedupree Senators Toomey R-PA & Manchin D-WV set 11am news conference on background checks; said to be "close" to a deal

— Nels (@debitking) April 10, 2013

Journalists on Twitter were buzzing tonight about a looming deal on federal background checks cooked up by the recently evolved Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and GOP Sen. Pat Toomey. A press conference will reportedly take place tomorrow at 11am Eastern. Stalwart conservative GOP Sen. Ted Cruz will be holding a separate presser.

Details. Devilish details:

Will Toomey-Manchin proposal apply to sales/transfers to 30, 40 acquaintances who go to someone's house or ranch? Private gun exhibitions?

— Tom Curry (@TCurry_Himself) April 10, 2013

#Senate Toomey aide: Gun deal close at hand, appearance with Sen. Joe Manchin set for …: Pennsylva… http://t.co/1ioo68Ez9Y #Politics

— QuorumCall? (@QuorumCall) April 10, 2013

Meet the odd couple. Who knew Toomey would go rogue? Joe Manchin says on verge of gun deal – http://t.co/qsrPoPm5PB: http://t.co/hT5YiFb9sb

— Elizabeth Evans (@Wallacewriter) April 10, 2013

After a day that found him at the center of the contentious national debate over new gun laws, Sen. Pat Toomey said a deal on background checks was near.

The Pennsylvania Republican said Tuesday night that he was close to reaching an agreement with Democrats that would give a critical GOP endorsement to the plan.

…A final agreement, brokered by Toomey and Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.), was expected to come together Wednesday. The plan, as of Tuesday night, would close background-check loopholes for purchases at gun shows and online, Manchin said, though the full details were not yet known.

Toomey and Manchin “continue to work on final details, but they appear close to a deal,” a Toomey spokeswoman wrote late Tuesday in an e-mail.

Manchin told reporters, “We really are getting there.”

…

Toomey has long opposed new gun laws but also has to think about seeking reelection in 2016. A deal on background checks could help his appeal in parts of a state that increasingly leans Democratic in presidential election years. His endorsement might also encourage Republicans from the Philadelphia suburbs to provide critical GOP votes in the House.

But Pennsylvania also has a strong hunting culture, and opponents of new restrictions on firearms are vocal and active.

Ahem. Paging the ACLU!

Gun owners know that any effort to require "universal" background checks is a step toward registration – ACLU agrees http://t.co/NSo6NtPHjg

— NRA (@NRA) April 8, 2013

Tea Party activists are not happy with Sen. Toomey.

Pat Toomey working on Universal Background Check compromise Tea Party Traitor

— AMERICA❌FIRST❌ ?? (@SGTROCKUSMC82) April 9, 2013

Don't vote for Toomey again!!! Traitor!

— Karen L (@kettlecreek10) April 9, 2013

@MV_Granny @belynda13 Toomey is a traitor that is working on compromise, his northern RINO colors are showing

— victoria_4 (@victoria_29) April 9, 2013

https://twitter.com/DebzISHere/status/321772129274171392

Prepare for Sen. Toomey to sell your rights away. As a conservative constituent I'm appalled, but expect it #nra #teaparty #saf #tgdn #tcot

— Remember Otis (@bitterclingerpa) April 10, 2013

The internecine battle lines are drawn.

#TeamCruz RT: @ChadPergram: Guns coming to head in Senate tomorrow. Cruz and Manchin/Toomey hold separate pressers on guns.

— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) April 10, 2013

These phone lines are about to melt:

https://twitter.com/incognito912/status/321805017516503040

Update: