Democrats are calling for a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban in the 2012 Party Platform, citing their belief that the right to own firearms “is subject to reasonable regulation.”

“We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious,” the text of the platform reads.

The text of the platform also calls for strengthening background checks and closing what the Democrats describe as the “gun show loophole.”

The purpose of these restrictions?

“[S]o that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few,” the text declares.

The White House signaled in August that President Obama supports renewing the assault weapons ban – signed by Clinton in 1994 – which expired in 2004. Although activists have called for a renewal of the ban, in the wake recent mass shootings, Congress has signaled very little interest in doing so, particularly in an election year.

The Republican party platform opposes the assault weapons ban.