Hoyer Discusses the Need for Commonsense Reforms to Address Gun Violence on CNN

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined CNN’s New Day this morning to discuss the urgent need to address gun violence. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video: "[Democrats] have been trying to get comprehensive background checks, which the overwhelming majority, 97% of the public, supports taking steps so everybody has a background check and we can preclude those who are criminals, multiple misdemeanor offenders, people on the terrorist watch list, people with mental health problems from getting guns. We can't get that piece of legislation, overwhelmingly supported by the American people, on the agenda, on the Floor... It will pass."

"The only conclusion one can draw is that the NRA is opposed to it, and [Republicans] don't want to offend the NRA. I think that's tragic. Frankly, it's against the will of the American people. It's against the safety of our children. It's against the safety of people going to concerts, going to night clubs, going to churches, going to other places where people gather, where people are vulnerable. Very frankly, I don't know any other explanation other than the NRA says they're opposed to it. And that's unfortunate. We ought to get rid of the bump stocks; I'm glad to see the Florida Legislature did that, as well. I, frankly, think there's no use for an AR-15, a weapon that can shoot a lot of bullets, very quickly, which is designed to kill a lot of people very quickly and that's unfortunate. We ought to be considering those on the Floor of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate."