Tougher gun law seen as uphill climb
Senator says NRA lobby could be fatal to bill
WASHINGTON • Days before the U.S. Senate begins debating gun-control measures supported by President Barack Obama, the Democratic senator who is leading the push to restore an assaultweapons ban acknowledged the effort faces tough odds to pass Congress.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California told CBS’s Face the Nation that a coalition of police, clergy and voters would push forward her measure over objections from the National Rifle Association.
Feinstein on Thursday introduced a bill that would prohibit 157 specific weapons and ammunition magazines that have more than 10 rounds. The White House and fellow Democrats are skeptical the measure is going anywhere, given lawmakers who are looking toward re-election might fear pro-gun voters and the NRA.
“This has always been an uphill fight. This has never been easy. This is the hardest of the hard,” Feinstein said. “The NRA is venal. … The NRA has become an institution of gun manufacturers,” she said.
The NRA disputed her characterization.
“The NRA is a grassroots organization. We have more than four million dues-paying members and tens of millions of supporters all across this country. … Decent and logical people would understand that,” said spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to take up the gun control proposals on Wednesday. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2012, said Congress should focus on the causes of violence and not weapons alone.