Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said Monday that Democrats will drop a ban on certain semiautomatic weapons as part of its gun control package.
The ban on so-called "assault weapons" was near and dear to the heart of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has admitted frustration that her bill -- which would have banned 157 models of weapon -- won't be offered on the Senate floor.
She could still offer the ban as an amendment.
Reid and his fellow Democrats will still push for tougher gun registration laws and limits to the size of ammunition magazines.
Senate Democrats have not explained their decision to drop a weapon ban from their legislative package.