[Hat Tip WeaselZippers]    WASHINGTON DC – Mark Kelly, the husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), is threatening to back an election challenge against Sen. Jeff Flake if the Arizona Republican votes against legislation to expand background checks.

At a Christian Science Monitor breakfast on Tuesday, Kelly said he would back an opponent to Flake if the “right candidate” was available and if the senator failed to support a background check bill, according to reports.

Flake, who is not up for reelection until 2018, has been close to Kelly and Giffords. But Kelly said the issue of control trumped their ties.

“You know, friendship is one thing,” Kelly said. “Saving people’s lives, especially first graders, is another thing.”

Kelly’s comments came after Flake said he planned to vote against background check legislation in a statement on his Facebook page.  (read more)