King will push ahead with gun bill despite GOP leaders' opposition

Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) said he expects to move forward with new gun control legislation, despite the opposition of his party's leaders.

King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said that most Republicans agree with his proposed legislation to outlaw bringing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a member of Congress.

"Yes, I expect to go forward, and it's not a disagreement I have with many people in the Republican Party," King said on Fox News.

Both Speaker John BoehnerJohn Andrew BoehnerCan the GOP break its addiction to show biz? House conservatives plot to oust Liz Cheney Ex-Speaker Boehner after Capitol violence: 'The GOP must awaken' MORE (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric CantorEric Ivan CantorCan the GOP break its addiction to show biz? Leaving on a high note: Outgoing NRCC head looks to build on 2020 Overnight Defense: US sanctions NATO ally Turkey over Russian defense system | Veterans groups, top Democrats call for Wilkie's resignation | Gingrich, other Trump loyalists named to Pentagon board MORE (R-Va.) have said they oppose King's bill, which he proposed earlier this week following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) at a constituent event.

King's bill is one of several proposed by members of both parties in the wake of the assassination attempt against Giffords. On the Republican side, Rep. Louie GohmertLouis (Louie) Buller GohmertTrust between lawmakers reaches all-time low after Capitol riots Why Trump could face criminal charges for inciting violence and insurrection Democrats to levy fines on maskless lawmakers on House floor MORE (R-Texas) has proposed allowing members to carry guns in D.C. and on the floor of the House. On the Democratic side, Rep. Robert Brady (Pa.) wants to outlaw language or images that threaten lawmakers, and several other lawmakers have proposed restrictions on the kind of extended magazine clips the alleged shooter used in the attack against Giffords.

The New York Republican argued that his legislation would give law enforcement greater leeway in preventing threats from manifesting against members of Congress at the kind of constituent event Giffords had been holding.

"So it's to, in effect, protect the people who are coming and also give the police the extra power they would need, so that if they do see someone with a gun or someone who might have a gun, they can go up and talk to them, question them, and escort them away," he said.