NEW YORK - Relatives of shooting victims from Newtown, Conn., stood with Vice President Joe Biden as he spoke at New York's City Hall in favor of an assault weapons ban.

Senate Democrats have dropped the ban from the gun control package they plan to consider next month. However, Biden reiterated Thursday that the White House is still pushing for the measure.

Biden said the president's gun proposals don't infringe "one iota" on Second Amendment rights.

Biden also was joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He emphasized proposals for expanding background checks of gun buyers.

Bloomberg and Boston's Thomas Menino head a coalition called Mayors Against Illegal Guns.