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' Shushannah Walshe: " New York Passes Nation's Toughest Gun-Control Law" Today New York became the first state to pass a gun control law - the toughest in the nation - since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting massacre last month. Acting one month and a day since the rampage killing that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law shortly after 5 p.m. LINK

USA Today's Aamer Madhani and Jackie Kucinich: " Obama to announce gun control proposal Wednesday" President Obama will unveil a comprehensive gun-safety plan on Wednesday, a follow-up to his promise to come up with a proposal to bolster gun control in the aftermath of last month's mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. The president's package will include calls for Congress to reinstate a ban on assault weapons and address the issue of high-capacity magazine as well as strengthen federal background checks of people buying guns-all are issues that Obama has previously endorsed and would require Congressional action, according to White House press secretary Jay Carney. LINK

The Hill's Mike Lillis, Justin Sink and Jordy Yager: " Obama to offer a package of sweeping restrictions on firearms" President Obama on Wednesday will offer sweeping new gun restrictions - including a proposed ban on assault weapons - that herald a fierce battle with gun-rights advocates on Capitol Hill. The package will also include a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines and expanded background checks for gun buyers, the White House announced Tuesday. The proposals will be unveiled at an 11:45 a.m. event attended by pro-gun-reform lawmakers and interest groups. LINK

The Washington Times' David Sherfinski and Dave Boyer: " Obama recruits children to push gun bans" Acting just a month after the Connecticut school shootings, President Obama will unveil a sweeping package of gun controls Wednesday and will challenge Congress to ban high-capacity magazines and military-style semi-automatic rifles involved in recent shooting rampages. Mr. Obama, who will make his announcement surrounded by children who wrote letters to him about gun violence, is expected to propose some moves he can take on his own. He also will demand that Congress break a decades-long refusal and enact the first new controls on firearms and ammunition since the early 1990s. LINK

The New York Times' Thomas Kaplan: "Sweeping Limits on Guns Become Law in New York" Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law a sweeping package of gun-control measures on Tuesday, significantly expanding a ban on assault weapons and making New York the first state to change its laws in response to the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. LINK

Politico's Reid J. Epstein: "Obama guns plan to include trafficking law" President Barack Obama's wide-ranging gun control proposals to be unveiled Wednesday will include a new federal gun trafficking law - long sought by big-city mayors as a way to keep out-of-state guns off their streets. LINK CHUCK HAGEL: The Los Angeles Times' David Cloud and Michael A. Memoli: " Defense nominee Hagel goes on the offensive" After weeks of uncertainty, the White House appeared to gain the advantage in the battle over former Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination as Defense secretary when a pivotal senator voiced support and Hagel distanced himself from past positions on Israel and Iran. Sen. Charles E. Schumer's decision Tuesday to back the former Nebraska senator is likely to persuade some senators still uncertain about President Obama's choice for his second-term national security team. Schumer, a New York Democrat, is an influential voice on U.S.-Israel relations. LINK HURRICANE SANDY: The Wall Street Journal's Andrew Grossman: " House Approves Sandy Aid Package" The House on Tuesday approved $50.5 billion in aid to help Northeastern states rebuild after superstorm Sandy-a major, if delayed, victory for hard-hit parts of New York and New Jersey. The measure could be taken up by the Democratic-controlled Senate next week, where it will likely receive a friendlier reception than in the Republican-controlled 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