BOSTON (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey is joining with other gun control activists to call on Congress to approve tough gun laws.

Markey will meet Monday with Stop Handgun Violence founder John Rosenthal, Middlesex Sherriff Peter Koutoujian and the mother of a gun violence victim to press for quick passage of national gun laws proposed by President Barack Obama.

The event will take place at the Art Institute of Boston.

Markey is running for the Democratic nomination in the special election to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of John Kerry to become secretary of state.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch is challenging Markey for the Democratic nomination.

Markey has touted his fights with the gun industry as he makes his pitch to Massachusetts voters.

The special election is June 25.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.