Leading Democrat: Gun control faces uphill climb
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, to introduce legislation on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Congressional Democrats are reintroducing legislation to ban assault weapons but the measure faces long odds even after last month's mass school shooting in Newtown, Conn. The measure being unveiled Thursday is authored by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who wrote the original assault weapons ban. That law expired in 2004 when Congress refused to renew it under pressure from the National Rifle Association. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democrat who’s introduced an assault weapon ban acknowledges the measure faces an “uphill climb” to pass Congress but says public support is on her side.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California says a coalition of police, clergy and voters would push forward her bill over objections from the nation’s largest gun-rights lobby, the National Rifle Association.
The White House and other Democrats, however, remain skeptical the effort is going anywhere.
Feinstein tells CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the NRA is a politically potent force but that its main supporters are gun-makers, not gun enthusiasts.
In the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., President Barack Obama is pushing to expanded background checks, restoring the assault weapons ban and banning high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Reader Comments (1)
Previous Page | Next PageSubmit your comment below:
* = Required information