"The very fact that the criminals will not subject themselves to a background check provides the kind of prevention."
"What I am trying to get to is this: If you can rationalize a 100-round drum that someone can strap onto a semiautomatic weapon..."
"Criminals will not subject themselves to a background check so they do not go into the gun shops."
"I cannot relate to the need of that man in Aurora, Colorado, to have a 100-round drum, 100 cartridges."
"Our biggest problem in Chicago, according to Superintendent McCarthy, who came to Chicago from New York, is that we are awash in guns."
"I think we all agree--I hope we all agree--that the Supreme Court decision in Heller said we can have reasonable limitations on a Second Amendment right in terms of the type of weapon and the people w..."
"The criminals will not go to purchase the guns because there will be a background check."
"But let me tell----"
"The belief of NRA is the Second Amendment has to give American citizens the firepower to fight back against you, against our Government."
"Well, that is what it is all about, then?"
"I am sorry it has taken 2 years for us to convene this hearing, but it took Newtown, Connecticut, to finally bring us to our senses and to open this national conversation."