Up Close: Gun control dialogue

NEW YORK

Despite all the gun violence in the news recently, Americans are still split on what to do when it comes to controlling gun ownership.

47 percent say that it is important to pass laws controlling who can own a gun, while 46 percent say protecting second amendment rights, the right to bear arms, is more important. This is all according to a new Pew Research Center poll.

The one thing that is gaining momentum is a feeling that something needs to be done to stop the senseless gun violence.

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy from Long Island has been at the forefront when it comes to gun laws, yet she has seen little progress. For her it is a personal mission - her husband was killed in 1993 when a gunman opened fire on a Long Island Rail Road train.

Six years ago, Mayor Bloomberg created a task force called "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" - it started with 12 mayors, and has since grown to 700, yet little has changed.

Mayor Bloomberg is hoping to make gun control a presidential campaign issue, but so far, the two candidates have remained largely silent on the issue. It is an insurmountable brick wall when it comes to changing gun laws - or can changing the dialogue make a difference?

Watch Up Close with Diana Williams every Sunday morning at 11:00 on Channel 7.

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