Elizabeth Warren shows common sense, courage on assault weapons ban

Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren is staking out strong, common sense ground on gun violence, and is willing to say so out loud, supporting a renewal of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.

'There is a huge difference between the guns of a sportsman or homeowner and high-powered assault weapons with 100-cartridge magazines,' she said. 'I grew up around guns and gun owners, and I will work to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens. But the law must reflect the reality that, in the wrong hands, guns can be used for violent crimes, disrupting communities and making families and neighborhoods less safe.'

Scott Brown, unsurprisingly, "has tried to walk a difficult middle ground on the issue." He's supports the ban for Massachusetts, he says, but thinks it should be left up to the states. That kind of waffling isn't cutting it with anyone, apparently.

Brown's nuanced position has drawn criticism from both sides and has caused gun rights groups to cool in their support of him. 'It certainly kept us out of getting involved in that race,' said Erich Pratt, director of communications for Gun Owners of America, a national group that will not support Brown.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren is taking a principled stand, even though it might hurt her with some voters. That's the kind of courage that has been definitely lacking in the Senate.

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