NYPD investigating death threats to Democratic congresswoman over gun bills

The New York City Police Department is investigating calls to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) threatening her life in response to proposed gun control legislation.

Maloney told The New York Daily News that she had canceled an appearance at awards ceremony on Tuesday night after receiving the death threats by phone.

“I couldn’t go. Who knows what could happen?” Maloney said. “I think any member of Congress would be scared after what happened to my good friend Gabby Giffords.”

At least three threatening calls had reportedly come about an hour apart.

"They said they were going to kill me," the New York Democrat recalled. "You have to take these things seriously."

Maloney is vowing to move forward with a bill that would require gun owners to purchase liability insurance or be fined up to $10,000.

Watch this video from WPIX, broadcast April 3, 2013.

[Photo: Flickr/ Talk Radio News Service]