John Lewis: How Many Must Die to Change Gun Laws? Hundreds? Thousands?

Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, on Wednesday said Americans must show "nothing short of raw courage" to stand up to Republicans and pass tougher gun laws in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 and wounded almost 500 others.

"The American people will not stand to see hundreds and thousands of their fellow citizens mowed down because the lack of action on the part of the Congress," Lewis told host Chris Matthews on MSNBC's "Hardball."

Lewis said House Democrats are organizing an effort and would like Republicans to join them. Lewis said he's reached out the GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan, but was not encouraged with his response.

Democrats have long fought for tougher gun laws, especially in the wake of deadly shootings, but have been met by Republicans who say they are attempting to go too far, denying law-abiding gun owners their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.

Lewis said the public needs to "speak up and speak out" and "get in the way."

Matthews noted that President Donald Trump earlier Wednesday said, "We're not going to talk about that today" when asked about gun legislation.

"Well, the time is always right to do what is right," Lewis responded. "We waited too long. How many more people will die? Would it be a few hundred? A few thousand? Several thousand? We have to act. We cannot wait."

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