The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News' Jayce Henderson, Amanda VanAllen, and Jordan Mazza

GUN CONTROL: ABC News' Betsy Klein: " Gun Control Advocates See 'Opportune Moment' as Biden Readies Proposals" Still days away from any announcement of the White House's proposals for addressing gun violence - and less than one month since a mass shooting claimed the lives of 27 people, including 20 first graders, in Newtown, Conn. - Americans are lining up around the block to buy guns. LINK

The Hill's Meghashyam Mali: " Biden to meet House members on Monday to discuss gun measures" Vice President Joe Biden will meet with members of the House of Representatives on Monday to discuss the administration's efforts to stem gun violence. Biden, joined by Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, will meet with lawmakers at 11 a.m., according to the White House. LINK

The New York Times' Michael S. Schmidt: " Both Sides in Gun Debate Agree: Punish Background-Check Liars" Nearly 80,000 Americans were denied guns in 2010, according to Justice Department data, because they lied or provided inaccurate information about their criminal histories on background-check forms. Yet only 44 of those people were charged with a crime. The staggeringly low number of prosecutions for people who "lie and try," as it is called by law enforcement officials, is being studied by the Obama administration as it considers measures to curb gun violence after the Connecticut elementary school shootings in December. LINK

The Washington Post's Philip Rucker: " Sweeping new gun laws proposed by influential liberal think tank" With President Obama readying an overhaul of the nation's gun laws, a liberal think tank with singular influence throughout his administration is pushing for a sweeping agenda of strict new restrictions on and federal oversight of gun and ammunition sales. The Center for American Progress is recommending 13 new gun policies to the White House - some of them executive actions that would not require the approval of Congress - in what amounts to the progressive community's wish list. LINK

CHUCK HAGEL: The Los Angeles Times' Don Lee: " Colin Powell offers strong defense of Chuck Hagel's nomination" Retired Gen. Colin Powell offered a vigorous defense of Chuck Hagel's nomination as the next Defense secretary, even as the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee added questions about Hagel's temperament to lawmakers' other concerns about the nominee, particularly his position on Israel. Powell, former secretary of State to President George W. Bush and a widely respected member of the GOP, had voiced strong support for Hagel shortly after President Obama named the former Nebraska senator as his choice to replace Leon E. Panetta. On Sunday, Powell spelled out further why he regards Hagel as "superbly qualified" for the job. LINK

The Washington Times' Rowan Scarborough: " Pentagon begins campaign to bust 'myths' about nominee Hagel" The Pentagon has begun a campaign to rebut what it calls "myths" about Defense Secretary-designate Chuck Hagel and is sending to senators documents purporting to show that he is pro-Israel and tough on Iran. The papers - one of which is titled "Chuck Hagel's Record: Myths and Facts" - kick off what is expected to be a strong lobbying effort by the Obama administration and liberal groups to win Mr. Hagel's confirmation by the Senate Armed Services Committee and then the full Senate. LINK

NATIONAL SPENDING: Politico's Jim Vandehei, Mike Allen and Jake Sherman: " Double trouble: House GOP eyes default, shutdown" House Republicans are seriously entertaining dramatic steps, including default or shutting down the government, to force President Barack Obama to finally cut spending by the end of March. The idea of allowing the country to default by refusing to increase the debt limit is getting more widespread and serious traction among House Republicans than people realize, though GOP leaders think shutting down the government is the much more likely outcome of the spending fights this winter. LINK

GOP: USA Today's Dennis Cauchon: " GOP governors seek to reshape taxes" Republican governors are introducing bold proposals that would abolish income taxes, business taxes and other unpopular levies and often offset those cuts by boosting sales taxes. LINK

INAUGURATION: The Boston Globe's David Uberti: " President Obama eases restrictions to raise cash for his second inaugural" President Obama's inauguration planners are embracing a Groupon-like "daily deal" concept to scrounge up scarcer-than-expected donations, but this is not about discount inaugural burritos or half-off Joe Biden merchandise. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEO: " President Hamid Karzai Addresses Afghan Sovereignty at White House" LINK

BOOKMARKS: The Note: LINK The Must-Reads Online: LINK Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK ABC News Politics: LINK The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK ABC News Mobile: LINK ABC News app on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad: LINK