Thursday a Senate committee will take up a new assault weapons ban.
the proposed ban has raised attention on both sides of the gun debate.
that's why a long silent Quad City group is reforming.
Quad Citians for Responsible Gun Laws was last formed in the 1990's, after a rash of shootings in Rock Island.
The group found there was no support in Congress to debate gun policy at the time, but the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary has changed that.
There are several bills in Congress proposing new gun laws.
That's why the group is re-appearing.
It wants to show Congress there is support at the grassroots level for legislative action.
The group wants the ban on assault rifles and high capacity magazines to go into place.
It also wants to see more funding earmarked for violence prevention.
Getting help to juvenile delinquents and offenders before they get caught up in situations that leave someone dead.
"When we could have done something, whether its legislation or some other preventative action we need to rid our communities of this violence," says Pastor Rogers Kirk.
The group says new federal gun regulations would strengthen Iowa's laws already on the books.
It points to low ratings from groups that study how each state regulates guns as proof reform is needed.
Iowa republican Senator Chuck Grassley sits on the senate committee that will discuss the assault weapons ban.
He says he does not support the measure.
