Washington (CNN) -- On one side were pegboard panels mounted with various assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons -- including a Bushmaster similar to the one used in last month's Newtown school massacre. Behind the stage stood police officers supporting a renewed ban on such firepower. One by one, victims of gun violence told their brief stories and expressed support for a new federal ban being proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein on some assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons. Almost six weeks after the Connecticut shooting rampage that killed 20 first graders, Feinstein said she planned to introduce her measure later Thursday, with Reps. Carolyn McCarthy of New York and Ed Perlmutter of Colorado doing the same in the House.
@highlight
NEW: Vice President Biden takes part in an online discussion on gun violence
@highlight
Sen. Feinstein warns of an "uphill road" to get her proposal passed
@highlight
The NRA says it is "confident" Congress won't pass Feinstein's measure
@highlight
The proposals come almost six weeks after the Newtown school massacre
She then made a plea for people to call their senators and @placeholder members to declare "enough is enough," adding that a mobilized public is "stronger than the gun lobby."