State lawmakers heard hours of testimony on gun control Tuesday in Sacramento as part of a joint legislative hearing. The hearing focused on the history of gun laws in California, and whether they should be strengthened. State and federal lawmakers are considering tightening gun laws in the aftermath of last month's mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Senator Loni Hancock and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano -- both Bay Area Democrats -- chaired Tuesday's hearing, which featured government officials, academics and the National Rifle Association, among others.

California already has some of the nations' toughest gun control laws, and there are already several new measures on the table. What were Democrats hoping to accomplish with this hearing?

Host Tara Siler talks with John Myers, political editor for KXTV in Sacramento, who covered the hearing.