Biden’s plea for gun control draws fire and praise from the usual quarters

The reactions followed familiar party lines: Democrats agree it's time to act, Republicans call the speech divisive'

Joe Biden's impassioned plea for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in America has met with mixed reactions from US lawmakers, whose views on his primetime call for action appeared to break down along familiar party lines.

Some Democratic lawmakers responded to the US president's address to the nation by praising his leadership on a crisis that has horrified many Americans in recent weeks, while some Republicans framed the president's speech as liberal misdirection as they continue to support gun rights.