NASHVILLE (AP) - Survivors of gun violence are expected to be among those participating in a Nashville rally on Wednesday to support legislation to expand background checks for gun buyers.

The rally is part of a national effort by the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns to continue raising awareness to the issue of gun violence in America.

A measure to expand background checks has failed in the U.S. Senate.

Gun violence survivors scheduled to attend Wednesday's rally include Steven Barton, a survivor of last year's movie theater attack in Aurora, Colo., and Tammy Sommers, a survivor of the July 2008 shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

The event will be held at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and is set to start at 10 a.m.