During an appearance on Current TV, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) said Wednesday that Democrats would probably not be able to pass an assault weapons ban in the House of Representatives.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has vowed to introduce the assault weapons ban on the first day that Congress reconvenes in January. The law would prohibit civilians from owning certain military-style semi-automatic firearms.

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Cohen noted that about 20 Republicans would need to support the legislation in order for it to survive in the House. He also predicted the Republican leadership in the House wouldn’t schedule the bill to be voted on. Though the NRA was relatively weak in general elections, Cohen explained they were powerful in many Republican districts and could easily pressure lawmakers into opposing the bill.

“I think the Republican caucus now, both on this issue and on taxing the people whose income is a quarter of a million to a million dollars have become imprisoned by their own success,” he said. “They are showing how much of a minority party they are.”

Watch video, courtesy of Current TV, below: