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Southern Democrat: Republicans love their guns and bibles

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy On Wednesday's show Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, defended a cartoon he p
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Guns seized by the New York Police Department, in the largest seizure of illegal guns in the city's history, are displayed on a table during a press...

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On Wednesday's show Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, defended a cartoon he posted on Twitter in the wake of Monday's Navy Yard shooting suggesting the NRA was at least partially responsible.

"I think there definitely is a connection between the NRA and the continuing gun culture that we have that needs to be limited to protect Americans," Cohen told Alex Wagner.

"I got the vitriol on the Twitter from all these people who opposed that cartoon," he added. "They are hardcore Republicans who---this means more to them--I think their guns are right there next to their bibles. I'm not sure which they find more important to them."

Cohen also lamented Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's contention Tuesday that Democrats don't have the votes in the Senate to revisit the gun control debate.

“I’d like to see strong background checks, but I think if you at least get mental health, that’s important,” he added.