- New York City 02/28/2012 (AP)

The Senate is holding hearings on banning certain types of high power weapons. Neil Heslin, father of 6 year old Jesse, one of the first graders slain in the Newtown mass shooting, fought back tears as he begged the Senate Judiciary Committee to ban assault weapons.The 50-year-old construction worker said he supports the Second Amendment right to bear arms, and backs sportsmen who like using firearms. But he said the Second Amendment wasn't written a time when firearms were as sophisticated as today's assault weapons.Heslin spoke in support of a bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein which would ban assault weapons Republicans at the hearing said the ban could violate the Constitution and theban is not expected to pass Congress.