NEW : President Obama urges the House and Senate to vote on similar measures . Reflecting on his decades on the panel , Leahy called for members of both parties to `` come together to become a safer and more secure society . '' The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a new assault weapons bill on a party - line vote . It now goes to the full Senate for consideration . It is expected to eventually be defeated because of NRA funding .
NEW : President Obama urges the House and Senate to vote on similar measures . The Senate Judiciary Committee approves a new assault weapons bill on a party - line vote . It now goes to the full Senate for consideration . It is expected to eventually be defeated because of NRA funding .