Sen. Warner on gun control laws: 'Enough is enough'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSLS 10) - Virginia senators were int the nation's capitol Thursday to present new gun safety legislation.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined fellow Senate Democrats to launch what they called a major effort to pressure Congressional leaders to pass new laws. The senators led a news conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, joined by colleagues from Oregon and Connecticut, and announced an effort to strengthen existing background checks, closing loopholes and shutting down the pipeline of illegal guns.

School shootings were the focus of Thursday's push. Lawmakers noted there have been 140 school shootings in the last three years, including the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in December, 2012 and the mass shooting at a community college in Roseburg, Oregon one week ago.

Virginia lawmakers have also been pushed to propose gun regulations after the shooting deaths of Alison Parker and Adam Ward just outside Roanoke in August.

Sen. Warner said the commonwealth and the nation should agree more could be done to stop gun violence.

"Enough is enough," Warner said. "I think most reasonable Americans – most reasonable Virginians – 85 percent of gun owners know that we've got to do a better job on background checks and keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are mentally ill and those with criminal records. "

Senators said the legislation will focus on strengthening existing background checks to effectively identify and block purchases by dangerous individuals who should not get weapons; closing loopholes that allow people to purchase guns on the internet or at gun shows without a background check; and making "straw purchases" – where one person buys a gun for someone who is not legally allowed to have one – a federal crime.