Newark Mayor Cory Booker met with African-American journalists Tuesday to discuss issues affecting the African-American community. Booker spoke on a wide range of issues - from companies investing in Newark to bullying and social media.

Booker spoke to OutFront about two important issues in the headlines this week.

• A Tennessee lawmaker is pushing a bill that would tie welfare checks to students' grades. The bill has already passed the House and the Senate will vote on it Thursday.
• And last December, Booker conducted a social experiment he conducted here he went on food stamps in hopes of breaking the stigma attached to government assistance.

Also on Thursday, the U.S. Senate said it will take up legislation on gun control.

OutFront: This week may be a make or break moment for President Obama on gun control. In the past, you have been outspoken about guns coming from southern states and trafficked into New Jersey. What is the plan for Newark going forward on gun control?

Mayor Booker: We are going to continue to fight crime and gun violence in our city in ways - we are making progress. Our shootings are down 27 percent, our murders down. But we really need that help on a national level.

This week is a critical week where the Senate can pass legislation, Congress can pass legislation that 90 percent of Americans agree on. 80 percent of gun owners agree on and choke the supply of these weapons into the streets - into the hands of criminals. As oppose to the law-abiding citizens which this wouldn't touch at all – law abiding citizens who buy guns.

Senate overcomes filibuster, votes to open debate on gun bill

And so this is the choice America has to make – this is a week or a month where we can save thousands of lives in our country just by doing what the majority of Americans agree on.

I am praying for those of us who have to battle this issue every single day. Praying that congress does the right thing by the larger community - the larger national interest. FULL POST