President Barack Obama's gun control proposals are unlikely to get much traction with Republicans in Congress, and they're already speaking out against the new measures the same day the president announced them.
"Nothing the president is proposing would have stopped the massacre at Sandy Hook," said Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. "President Obama is targeting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens instead of seriously addressing the real underlying causes of such violence."
Obama's proposals include requiring background checks on all gun sales in the country, including private sales and gun show sales. The new rules would also ban military-style assault weapons and limit magazine capacities to 10 bullets.
"We can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible law-breaking few from inflicting harm on a massive scale," said the president.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) balked at Obama's assertions.
"Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation," the NRA said in a statement. "Only honest, law-abiding gun owners will be affected and our children will remain vulnerable to the inevitability of more tragedy."
Without Republican support in both houses of Congress, lasting and effective gun control is unlikely.
"Is it something that can pass the Senate? Maybe. It is something that can pass the House? I doubt it," said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
But if there is wiggle room for supporters on gun control, now is the time, in the wake of so many mass shootings involving the most innocent of victims.
"I use an acid test," said Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia. "If this was my children, my beautiful grandchildren, would I have the same view I have now?"
Proponents may have a chance to sway people like him. "I'm a data-driven person and I'm looking for as much good counsel on how we can responsibly reduce gun violence."
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