WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper to discuss the latest on bipartisan negotiations on gun reform.

“I've never been part of negotiations as serious as these. There are more Republicans at the table talking about changing our gun laws and investing in mental health than at any time since Sandy Hook. Now, I've also been part of many failed negotiations in the past, so I'm sober minded about our chances. We're talking about a meaningful change in our gun laws, a major investment in mental health, perhaps some money for school security, that would make a difference. On the table is red flag laws, changes to our background check system to improve the existing system, a handful of other items that will make a difference,” Murphy said.

Murphy added: “[As] late as last night, we were engaged in conversations about trying to put a package together because I think Republicans realize how scared parents and kids are across this country. I think they realize that the answer this time cannot be nothing. That it's frankly a test of democracy. It's a test of the federal government as to whether we can deliver at a moment of just fierce anxiety amongst the American public.”

On the upcoming week, Murphy said: “I think this week we need to have concepts to present to our colleagues. I don't know that we're going to vote this coming week, but we need to make decisions on whether or not we have a sustainable package in the next five days.”

On the stakes of these negotiations, Murphy said: “I'm more confident than ever that we're going to get there. But I'm also more anxious about failure this time around. When I was in Connecticut last week, I've never seen the look on parents faces that I did. There's just a deep, deep fear for our children right now. And also a fear that government is so fundamentally broken, that it can't put politics aside to guarantee the one thing that matters most to adults in this country: the physical safety of their children. And so I think the possibility of success is better than ever before, but I think the consequences of failure for our entire democracy are more significant than ever.”

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