On MSNBC yesterday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein explained to host Andrea Mitchell that then-Senator Joe Biden laughed at her when she first proposed the assault weapons ban in 1994. At the time, Feinstein proposed the ban as an amendment to Biden’s crime bill.
According to Feinstein, Biden – who at the time was Chair of the Judiciary Committee – said, ‘Dianne, you’re new here. Wait until the gunners get hold of you.’
But Feinstein explained that both bills went through Congress “unamended” and were signed by President Clinton.
President Obama announced today that Vice President Biden is expected to lead a White House commission to study proposals for more gun control in the wake of the mass shooting in Connecticut.
Feinstein announced plans earlier this week to re-introduce the assault weapons ban in January, as the bill expired in 2004. She is also expected to take over as chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney indicated yesterday that the President would probably support the bill Feinstein planned to propose.
