Maloney: Death threats won't stop gun-control efforts

One day after receiving death threats for her support of a measure aimed at curbing gun violence, Rep. Carolyn Maloney vowed Wednesday to keep "trying to stop the madness."

Four threatening calls were fielded Tuesday by members of the Manhattan Democrat's staff, including interns, "who were understandably shaken," Maloney said at a news conference.

Maloney said she wasn't in her office when the threats were made. The NYPD is investigating, police said.

While it's "not unusual to get comments" on proposed legislation, Maloney said she's never received death threats before.

"It goes to the intensity of feeling on the gun debate," she said in a phone interview.

On March 22, Maloney and eight co-sponsors introduced legislation that would require liability insurance for gun owners that would be similar to requirements for New York State auto owners.

"The threat of more gun violence is something to be taken seriously," she said, citing deadly shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., and the attack in Arizona on former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.