Following Orlando, A Push for Gun Control And A History Of The Semi-Automatic Rifle

Senate Democrats are taking part in a filibuster Wednesday afternoon, calling for new gun restrictions following the shootings at a nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning.

"I'm at my wit's end. I've had enough," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who began the filibuster at 11:21 a.m. Wednesday. "I've had enough of the ongoing slaughter of innocents and I've had enough inaction in this body."

Murphy said he would not end the filibuster until he receives assurance that the Senate will take action on legislation on universal background checks and preventing people on the FBI's terrorism watch list from buying firearms.

On Tuesday, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton tweeted a picture of himself in fatigues and holding a military rifle. He's a Marine veteran who served four tours of duty in Iraq. Along with the picture he wrote, "I know assault rifles. I carried one in Iraq. They have no place on America's streets."

We look at the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill and take step back to understand how a rifle designed for the military became a popular gun for civilians.

Seth Moulton, U.S. congressman representing the 6th District of Massachusetts. He tweets @sethmoulton.

Jay Wachtel, retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent and a lecturer at Cal State Fullerton.