Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., author of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, made the following statement after President Obama announced a comprehensive plan to protect American children and communities by reducing gun violence:

“I have deep respect and admiration for President Obama and Vice President Biden for the comprehensive and commonsense reforms they outlined this morning. They spoke with conviction and compassion for the victims of gun violence in this country, and I applaud them for tackling this plague of violence with the urgency it deserves.

“The executive actions and proposals announced today will dramatically improve the background check system, protect law enforcement and resume gun violence research in this country.

“Finally, I support the president’s call to reinstate the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. He was exactly right when he said ‘weapons designed for the theater of war have no place’ in our society. I couldn’t agree more. These weapons have one purpose: to kill the most people in the shortest amount of time possible.

“Next week, Senate and House cosponsors will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices that carry more than 10 rounds. I hope that Chairman Leahy will hold hearings on this bill in the Judiciary Committee as soon as possible.”