Strict gun control advocate Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday he’s “willing to move forward” with Republicans to ban the bump-stock devices that were used in the nation’s worst mass shooting.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Connecticut Democrat, whose state suffered a mass choosing at an elementary school in Newton in 2012, called it “an important moment” for Congress.
"I am willing to move forward with the Republicans on banning these bump stocks that… subverts legislation that has been long on the book banning automatic weapons,” he said.
“I think you have to walk before you run,” he added. “And I do think this is an important moment.”
The National Rifle Association has called for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to review the device to ensure they’re in accordance with federal law.
“The NRA at least in the time I have been in Congress has never been willing to change U.S. gun laws,” Murphy said. “I think they see that they were likely going to lose this fight in Congress, and so now they’re trying to get it done through administrative action. But this is the first time that the gun lobby has shown willingness to come to the table.”
Murphy said, however, Congress should mandate background checks for all gun purchases.
"That would be the clear next step," he said. "That should be our North Star."
Also in the interview, Murphy said the Democratic Party should give back donations received from the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who’s embroiled in a sex harassment scandal.
"I think that probably makes sense," he said. "I mean this is a pretty bad guy, who did some really awful things."
"I don't require a background check to contribute to my campaign," he added. "And so there are probably lots of people with unsavory backgrounds and pasts who have given to both Democrats and Republicans."
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