Attorney general hopeful Warren Tolman, locked in a tough battle for the Democratic nomination, today released a new TV ad that offers a knock at his opponent, Maura Healey, a former state assistant attorney general.
Tolman begins by emphasizing his work helping to pass a state law requiring tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in cigarettes.
But the balance of the 30-second spot focuses on what the former state senator has made his signature issue: gun control.
“Today we’re battling the NRA, which has stopped every gun control law here in Congress, even after shootings in schools,” he says, standing before the US Capitol.
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“I’m Warren Tolman, and as attorney general, I’ll take on the NRA and use existing state law to require fingerprint trigger locks on new guns sold,” he says standing in front of the National Rifle Association headquarters. “My opponent says we should wait, but we should never wait to protect Massachusetts.”
Tolman has made mandating so-called “smart gun” technology aimed at only allowing gun owners or their designees to operate firearms a signature issue.
Healey has said she does not think the attorney general’s office has that authority under current law but has said she will push the Legislature to give her the legal ability to enact smart gun requirements.
“Maura Healey and Warren Tolman agree completely that smart gun technology can be an effective tool in helping make new guns safe...,” Healey spokesman David Guarino said in a statement in response to the ad. “Maura’s experience led her to embrace a comprehensive solution while Warren Tolman has talked about one idea this entire campaign.”
The ad, a Tolman aide said, is part of a million-dollar TV effort before the primary.
Polls have found the race to succeed Attorney General Martha Coakley to be close.
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The winner of the primary will face Republican John B. Miller in November.
Joshua Miller can be reached at joshua.miller@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jm_bos.