WASHINGTON -- Andy Parker joined lawmakers and activists on Capitol Hill Thursday, vowing to do "whatever it takes” to end to gun violence.
Parker is the father of murdered Virginia news reporter Alison Parker.
Parker and her photographer Adam Ward were gunned down during a live news report on August 26.
Thursday, Parker's father stood before a crowd in Washington DC calling on supporters to do whatever it takes to prevent Americans from being killed by gun violence.
Parker called on congress to pass legislation that would strengthen background checks for gun buyers.
Virginia Governor Terry Mcauliffe and Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine also participated in the rally.
Parker told the crowd they had to continue to mount pressure on elected officials.
“The overwhelming majority of Americans agree with common sense reforms, but too many members of Congress remain in the pocket of the gun lobby and that has got to change," Parker said.
CBS 6 also reached out to local gun rights advocate Phillip Van cleave about today's rally.
He wrote a statement saying in part:
"The push for universal background checks is a knee-jerk reaction that will not be effective in reducing crime....as evidenced by the poor results in states that have such a system."
