Senate Rejects Assault Weapons Ban, 40 To 60

Senators rejected the assault weapons ban Wednesday, voting against the amendment 60-40.

The assault weapons ban sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would have banned 157 types of firearms but protect weapons used for hunting and sporting activities. It would have also exempted any firearms legally owned before it would become law.

The assault weapons ban would have also prohibited the sale, transfer, manufacturing and importing of all semi-automatic rifles and handguns with magazines holding more than 10 rounds, and outlaw devices with the capacity to hold ammunition surpassing that number.

Last month, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., dropped the legislation from the main gun control bill because it lacked support. He promised to offer it as an amendment when debate got underway.

Reid pledged his support for the assault weapons ban Wednesday -- this after voting against its reinstatement in 2004.