NRA-backed Joe Manchin: It's time to talk about gun control

The West Virginia senator says the hour is at hand "to sit down and move in a responsible manner"

Published December 17, 2012 4:06PM (EST)

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W Va., a conservative who initially gained fame for his gun-centric "Dead Aim" campaign ad in the 2010 midterm elections, called for action on gun laws in the wake of the shootings in Newtown, Conn.

"It's time to move beyond rhetoric," Manchin said on Morning Joe. "We need to sit down and have a common sense discussion and move in a reasonable way."

Manchin, who has an A-rating from the NRA, continued:

"I believe this is a time for all of us to sit down and move in a responsible manner. And I think [the NRA] will. If Dianne [Feinstein]'s saying basically that assault weapons — I don't know anyone in the sporting or hunting arena that goes out with an assault rifle. I don't know anybody that needs 30 rounds in the clip to go hunting. I mean, these are things that need to be talked about."

"Everything has to be on the table, and I think it will be," Manchin added.

Watch:


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Assault Weapons Ban Gun Control Joe Manchin Newtown School Shooting Video West Virginia