In light of recent events at Newtown, Connecticut, there has been renewed momentum for action on the part of gun-control advocates. This momentum reached headway as Senator “Feinstein said she planned to introduce” (Bash and Cohen; CNN) a bill that “would upgrade an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and also outlaw ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds” (Bash and Cohen; CNN).

However the bill’s passage looks difficult as it “faces an uphill climb in Congress given opposition from Republicans and gun-state Democrats” (Hughes; WSJ). In particular, The National Rifle Association, the most powerful gun-rights lobby in Washington DC, has come out against increased gun control. Rather, the NRA believes that “the focus should be on prosecuting criminals and improving the country's mental health system” (Stone; ABC 30).

The bill’s passage will prove very difficult due to the political situation within Congress. Although, gun control is considered a liberal position, many of the Democrats within Congress have gun-owning constituents, so this battle within Congress will not break down on purely partisan lines. News of the bill comes “a week after President Obama included an assault weapons ban on a list of legislative proposals and executive orders designed to reduce gun violence” (Freedman; SFGate). The bill’s fate in Congress will reflect the new dynamics of the relationship between the administration and Congress following the 2012 election.

 Sources:http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/24/politics/congress-gun-control/index.html?hpt=po_c2http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/politics&id=8967803http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Sen-Feinstein-rolls-out-gun-ban-measure-4222428.phphttp://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/01/24/feinstein-rolls-out-gun-control-bill/