Feinstein: Election year not ideal for gun debate

(AP) Feinstein: Election year not ideal for gun debate
WASHINGTON

Sen. Dianne Feinstein says the nation needs to have a “sane” discussion on gun control and ban military-style assault weapons. But the California Democrat acknowledges that probably won’t happen before the November election.

Feinstein tells “Fox News Sunday” that “people haven’t rallied” in years because of the power and reach of the gun lobby, and that with the election looming, “it’s a bad time to embrace a new subject.”

President Barack Obama called for reinstating the ban during his 2008 presidential campaign. But since his election, he hasn’t worked to get that done or back other proposals.

Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson challenged Feinstein on Fox by saying the issue wasn’t about guns, but rather “sick, demented individuals.” Feinstein disagreed, saying “people use these weapons because they can get them.”