Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is pictured as he speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 26, 2013. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)

WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate have dropped the controversial assault weapons ban from their gun control bill, since it had no chance of becoming law.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid announced the move this week, prompting outrage from some gun control advocates.

Reid told reporters he had to leave out the ban on certain semi-automatic rifles in order to get enough support to call the pared-down bill for a vote.

The Senate has also left off a proposal to limit firearm magazines to 10 rounds.