Sen. Joe Manchin: "God help us" if Congress doesn't act to stop gun violence

But "we're close," added Democrat and Manchin ally Sen. Pat Toomey

Published April 14, 2013 7:13PM (EDT)

  (CBS News)
(CBS News)

Sen. Pat Toomey, (R-Pa) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) went on "Face the Nation" to talk about a bipartisan Senate proposal to expand background checks, with Toomey explaining that not "a single word" in the bill "in any way infringes on the Second Amendment rights of a law-abiding citizen," adding optimistically: "I think when people see the bill they're going to support it."

And if they don't?

"We came here to do something," Manchin said. "We've got a chance to make a difference in people's lives. We have a chance to save lives and not infringe on law-abiding citizens of this country, gun owners like myself and Pat. We have that opportunity, and God help us if we don't do it."


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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