WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- Gun control activists have begun an effort to revive Senate legislation defeated last month, with polls indicating support for tougher laws.
The Washington newspaper The Hill said plummeting poll numbers of lawmakers who voted against the gun control bill, and anger visibly displayed at recent town-hall meetings of Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., when she was challenged on her "no" vote, have prompted activists to "frantically" conduct new surveys, stage rallies and fund television advertising to keep the issue in the headlines and keep pressure on lawmakers.
"They [the senators] need to know they have defied the will of the people," liberal strategist Cliff Schecter said.
The White House has said only public pressure can inject the gun control debater with new momentum.
En route to Costa Rica Friday, White House press secretary jay Carney said President Obama "is committed to pressing for action to reduce gun violence and that includes pressing Congress to take action."
"Sometimes these efforts don't succeed initially, but especially when you have 85 or 90 percent of the American people supporting, in the case of background checks being expanded, a legislative proposal, this is going to get done," Carney said, urging voters to pressure senators to take action.
