SPRINGFIELD, IL (IRN) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says any effort to pass federal gun regulations will have to begin in the Senate.

Durbin says it’s clear that bills introduced in the House go nowhere, so it’s up to the Senate to craft gun control legislation that can gain support from both sides of the aisle.

“John Boehner, the speaker of the House, basically threw in the towel. He said ‘we can’t do it here, do it in the Senate and send it over,’ kind of – threw down the gauntlet to us. We ought to accept the challenge,” he said.

Durbin backs the president’s call for a ban on military-style weapons and large-capacity magazines that go with them.

Both Durbin and U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) receive an “F” grade from the National Rifle Association.