and that law-abiding citizens can continue to have their guns for their hunting, shooting, and self-protection purposes. congressman mike thompson, head of the house task force on gun control. sir, thanks for making time for me. thanks so much. absolutely. i want to bring in our power panel. msnbc center victoria defrancesco soto, karen finney and republican strategist chip saltsman. gang, a lot of moving parts this morning. we re going to pick up where we left off right there with the congressman, and i do want to read part of a newtown family s statement that came out. if you will bear with me. they have said no one should have to experience the pain we have endured. common sense gun laws will help spare others from the grief we live with every day. we thank senators manchin and toomey for coming together to honor the memory of the victims of sandy hook. we urge their colleagues in congress to join them. as i was pointing out, this is