In a statement announcing his support for Sonia Sotomayor, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, emphasized that the Second Amendment is important to his constituents, but that he is "convinced she will not be an activist justice." He added, "I believe she will continue her practice of upholding the law and protecting our constitutional rights without bringing personal bias to her decisions."

Begich had been targeted by conservative interest groups as a potentially vulnerable red state Democrat, and fellow Alaskan Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, said he has likely been facing the same pressure from his constituents as she has on the issue.

Begich, who was elected last year, is known as being pro-gun. His "yea" vote is another sign of the National Rifle Association's diminished influence over this nomination, even after it announced its intent to score the vote.