It's a pivotal week for the gun control issue. Today senators return from a two-week spring recess and many of them are hopeful that a compromise on gun legislation is possible.

The Senate will begin consideration of a gun control package that proposes a crack down on gun trafficking and institutes background checks on all gun purchases. A ban on assault weapons is not part of the proposed plan. 

At the same time, President Obama is in Connecticut, just miles from the Sandy Hook tragedy, where he will speak at the University of Hartford.

For more on this we're joined now by Politico reporter Reid Epstein.