On her show Monday night, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow challenged the notion that Congress was unable to pass any new regulations on firearms because of the powerful gun lobby.

“The biggest barrier to reforming our laws may just be the pervasive common wisdom that it is not even worth it to try,” she said. “Modern history defies that common wisdom, but it persists.”

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The liberal MSNBC host noted there appeared to be a national push for gun control after the horrific killing of 20 children in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday. Maddow said anyone who claimed gun control was impossible was “spinning you or not paying attention.”

Her guest, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, observed that even many gun owners supported “sensible” regulations on guns. He said lives could be saved by enacting regulations like prohibiting those charged with domestic violence from gun ownership.

Booker singled out the secondary gun market — private sales and gun shows — as an area of concern. He said even those on the terror watch-list could buy firearms at a gun show, where background checks are not required.

Watch video, courtesy of MSNBC, below:

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