California Rep. Mike Thompson said he now has more than 120 co-sponsors on a bill to expand universal background checks. The Democrat admits just three of the members who've signed on are Republicans. Thompson told msnbc's Chris Jansing that some members of the GOP tell him they are in favor of background checks, but don't want their names out in front.
"I've also heard from Republicans colleagues, who have told me that although the poll numbers in their districts are over the top in favor of background checks, that they haven't heard from any constituents in their district," Thompson said."Do you believe that? Do you think there are members of Congress who haven't heard anything from their constituents about this - which has to be the most talked about, most hot-button issue?" Chris Jansing asked."Well, I think that you and I think that," Thompson told Jansing, "there are a lot of folks polled who believe background checks are already the law... and haven't been passionately involved."