California Senator Sees Dim Prospects For Stronger Gun Control Laws

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Legislation to outlaw gun clips such as the one allegedly used to by Jared Loughner in the deadly Arizona shootings that injured a congresswoman would be more difficult to pass than the expired ban on assault weapons, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Friday.

The law authored by Feinstein that outlawed gun magazines holding more than 10 bullets passed on a bare majority that would not survive a filibuster threat in the current Congress, Feinstein said.

"How strong will people step up to support it, because there is no lobby in America like the gun lobby," Feinstein said.

KCBS' Jeff Bell and Patti Reising Interview Sen. Feinstein:

Considering such legislation was out of the question while the enormity of the Jan. 8 tragedy still hangs over Washington, Feinstein said.

"That has to pass over, and then we have to look and see legislatively what can be done. And that path certainly is not a clear one," she said.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

Feinstein echoed calls for more civil political rhetoric.

"I think that goes for everyone. It goes for people in public office. It goes for the press. It goes for cable networks," she said.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)