Can Congress agree on new gun control measures?

>>> many of you have scars on your back like i do from having attempted to act and continuing to try to act and deal with the senselessness of gun violence in america .

>> that was vice president biden at the house democrat retreat pushing his party to fight on the issue of gun control . it shows overwhelming support for the idea of a background check for all gun buyers. 92% support for that. but the political will to get it done. here is democrat caroline maloney. nice to see you here.

>> nice to be here.

>> we have a couple of other polls to show you. 92% support. stricter laws, 52% and 43%. assault weapons ban , 56-39. the high capacity magazine ban just over 50%. you can see how these bills are splitting up. one where there seems to be near universal support for universal background checks . can any of the other bills get through congress?

>> i think they can and we just introduced a ban trafficking and guns. can you believe it's not even a felony?

>> this is where it has bipartisan support with elijah cummings and others.

>> we will continue the effort, not only a political problem to make streets and schools and citizens safer, it's an ethical challenge and public safety and health challenge and we need to pass these bills. i was at the prayer breakfast earlier and believe all those religious leaders should go back to their homes and across the country and urge people to cosponsor their congress members and senators to cosponsor the common sense , sensible bills that don't in any way affect the rights of individuals to lawfully own their own guns. it doesn't affect the second amendment.

>> you have been in congress and have been around the block and know how it works. is it going to take the senate passing first before the house?

>> we have a democratic majority in the senate so that is the strategy, but that doesn't stop like-minded democrats and republicans to work together to make this happen. i feel the bills are not only important, but can have a healing effect of bringing using to o common ground to pass something that the american public clearly wants. you gave the statistics. i think that the sandy hook massacre was a wake up call . people want objection and want to be safer.

>> do you think the biggest divide in congress and not democrat and republican, but urban and rural? when it comes to these issues.

>> no,i don't. i think it's more democratic. we have an nra number join our bill who hunts in rural virginia. i think it's more democrat and republican divide than rural or not. most people in urban areas where there is no gun violence are solidly behind.

>> you see the split. if the senate can't get the bans through, we won't see this vote in the house.

>> i would agree with you there. you could see a vote or making a trafficking and guns a felony. you could see a vote on increasing the penalties for straw purchasers and drugs and kingpins of assault weapons and kang gangs. you could see background checks . eric kantor came out with statements and i see those two having bipartisan support and the background check and making trafficking and guns a felony. every nra member would be for the two bills. we are not going after any second amendment rights for law-abiding gun owners .

>> i suspect on tuesday, we will see how much the president talks about it.

>> i think he will.

>> thanks for coming in.

>> you will hear from the president today.