Senator Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) thanked CNN for its support in the gun-control debate this morning as he concluded an interview on the network’s morning show Starting Point. “Well, we appreciate your support too. This is very, very important,” Manchin said of expanding background checks.

Manchin and Pennsylvania senator Pat Toomey announced yesterday that they had reached a deal on a bill that would expand criminal background checks to purchases made at gun shows and over the Internet.


CNN recently aired a two-day special on background checks featuring former Arizona representative Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.