MSNBC "All in with Chris Hayes" - Transcript: "North Carolina House erupts."

Interview

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VELSHI: That was Congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia yesterday before the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance three bills designed to counter the gun violence epidemic in this country including one that would allow authorities to take guns away from dangerous people known as a red flag law. It`s the latest gun safety push from the Democrat-controlled House which voted earlier this year to require background checks on almost all gun sales, something supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. But Senate Republicans have refused to take up any gun safety legislation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insisting that he needs to know what Donald Trump would sign before he brings a bill to the floor which is unusual because the Senate is part of the Congress which is a co-equal branch of government. It`s not actually necessary for them to know what the president will sign before voting on legislation. But today Donald Trump said he was working with the Senate lawmakers on gun safety measures that will be "acceptable to everybody." Another things that seems unattainable. But he appears unlikely to support even moderate gun safety measures despite a recent spate of mass shootings. Just last month, he reportedly assured the NRA that universal background checks are off the table. With Republicans continuing to instruct gun safety measures at the federal level, some states are stepping up. In New Jersey this week, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order mandating that his state not do business with gun manufacturers and dealers that do not adopt more stringent gun safety policies. Joining me now to tell me more about this, New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Governor, good to see you. Thank you for being with us.

GOV. PHIL MURPHY (D-NJ): Thank you for having me, Ali.

VELSHI: We have seen across this country over the last few years -- gun safety advocates point this out all the time that while the focus seems to be on the failure of Congress to pass meaningful legislation on guns since 1994, in fact, there has been meaningful legislation passed in states across the country including things like red flag laws which your state has. And they argue that in fact a lot of progress is being made on that front.

MURPHY: Ali, it`s quite appropriate to have a discussion on public safety on this most solemn of day, so god rest the souls of all we lost 18 years ago. Yes, there`s been progress at the state level because we frankly have no choice. There`s inaction in Washington. I hope the president has seen the light in Senator McConnell. I`ll believe that when I see it. But we have from day one in our administration taking a whole series of actions, executive orders, legislative action, forming a coalition with other like-minded states called States for Gun Safety. And yesterday, as you pointed out, an executive order that would require gun vendors, financial institutions that financed those vendors, as well as insurance companies to adhere to a set of principles that we think are consistent with the values associated with a smart gun safety state. And we`ll keep at it because at the end of the day we all need -- we all know that we need Congress to act. But in the absence of that, we can`t stop them, we`ll continue to stay at it.

VELSHI: Governor, we have a Second Amendment in this country. It is the law of the land regardless of whether people like it or not or think that rulings about it have made sense. It is what it is. How does your new executive order stand up to that when you say that these vendors, these companies and financier of insurance companies live up to a set of standards that you think are acceptable? How do you do that while we`re standing up to a potential court challenge?

MURPHY: So we enter this executive order and the execution of it in a spirit of goodwill. So we`re hoping to find common ground with the vendors and that`s guns, ammunition, other equipment. We`ve spent over the recent period of time about $70 million. We have right now six vendors that deal with the state. Again, we enter that with a spirit of goodwill. Financial institutions we spent a lot more in fees. I think we spent about $1 billion in fees with financial institutions. And lastly, on the insurance carrier side, it`s unclear yet what the exact magnitude is. But not of what we`re doing in any way challenges the Second Amendment. This is asking vendors to adhere to a set of principles that they respect universal background checks, that they won`t sell to straw purchasers, that they`ll take training and communication seriously. And likewise, the financial institutions will choose in their dealings to finance only the vendors whether they be retailer manufacturers, that also adhere to those principles. I don`t think any of that goes near the Second Amendment and I think we can make that case quite clearly. And I would hope that we could continue to do so not just in New Jersey but that we could -- we could do that across our country.

VELSHI: Governor, I want to ask you really quickly. The President says he`s going to come up with something that everybody will be happy with. There`s no gun law that everybody`s going to be happy with, but there is common ground. And those red flag laws across this country are an example of common ground where gun safety advocates have worked with gun advocates to come up with something that does not skirt the rule of law and due process in saying that there are people who are dangerous who maybe shouldn`t have guns but that will be adjudicated.

MURPHY: Yes, red flag laws are a good example of steps that are broadly if not overwhelmingly supported by Americans of all political stripes. Universal background checks I think clocks in at 90 percent. It`s completely shameful that Congress in this administration have enacted already on those steps. I`m hopeful that they will, but in the meantime, I`ll hope for the best it will prepare for the worst and keep at it here in New Jersey.

VELSHI: Governor, thanks for joining me tonight. We appreciate it, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey. Coming up next, new courting tonight the White House was involved in the ultimatum to NOAA, either back up the President or lose your job. The details of that next.

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