O'Malley: Democrats need to find backbone' on gun control

Fighting back against the National Rifle Association to win a ban on assault weapons would be a hallmark of a Martin O'Malley presidency, the former Maryland governor told Iowans on Saturday.

"We must have the courage to put our children's safety each and every day ahead of the crazy and morally bankrupt interests of the National Rifle Association," O'Malley said at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson dinner.

"The NRA has one goal, and it is one goal alone, and it is selling as many guns as possible, no matter the costs in American lives. That might be in their interests, but that is not what's in the best interests of the United States, is it?"

O'Malley often highlights his record on gun control on the campaign trail, and as governor signed laws to expand background checks and ban the sale of certain weapons. He called on Iowans to back other measures and to use their buying power to force gun manufacturers to adopt the "latest and best safety technology."

"It's high time we find our backbone again as Democrats and stand up and say "no" to the National Rifle Association and start saving lives," he said.

The former Baltimore mayor sat at the dinner with Lonnie and Sandy Phillips, whose daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was killed in a 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. "What they have endured is unfathomable, but so too is their courage and is their resolve because they set out to transform the grief of their daughter's loss into action," he told the crowd.

FROM THE EVENT

QUOTE: "Congress should work for us, not for the NRA. ... One American life is worth more than all of the gun sales in America."

BEST MOMENT: O'Malley got a standing ovation from many across the hall for calling Donald Trump a "carnival barker." "Donald you want to make America great? How about starting by passing comprehensive immigration reform."

AUDIENCE REACTION: The audience clapped often and gave O'Malley a standing ovation when he called for immigration reform.