Reid Makes His Mark on Obama's Gun Control Hopes as Watered Down Bill Looks to Move in Senate

S.E. Cupp and Will Cain Discuss Gun Control and Democratic Division on the Issue (Real News 2/4)

President Obama has taken his push for increased gun control to the road Monday, appearing in Minnesota to campaign for the measures in his extensive proposals to decrease gun violence announced last month. Appearing in Minnepolis the president put an emphasis on allowing at least a vote on banning assault weapons in Congress.

"We should restore the ban on military style assault weapons and a 10-round limit for magazines. And that deserves a vote in Congress, because weapons of war have no place on our streets," Reuters reports Obama said.

This plea comes as the the Senate led by Majority Leader Harry Reid is ready to move on a bill that includes many of the president’s reforms with the notable exception of a ban on so-called assault weapons. Reid, who holds a "B" grade from the National Rifle Association and has received previous support from NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, has not supported certain bans on assault weapons in the past. The fissure with the president and Reid on this issue exemplifies a divide in the Democratic Party regarding more excessive gun control desires. Eleven Senate Democrats have a grade of B or better from the NRA, putting light on why Reid may be moving to put forward a more moderate legislative response to the president's task force on violence that may actually get passed.

The 'Real News' panel discussed this divide Monday, and how Second Amendment enthusiasts may view the legislative battle on gun control thus far in 2013.