Assault weapons legislation in the United States

"Assault weapons ban" redirects here. For other uses, see Assault weapons ban (disambiguation).

Assault weapons legislation in the United States refers to bills and laws (active, expired, proposed or failed) that define and restrict or make illegal the manufacture, transfer, and possession of assault weapons. How these firearms are defined and regulated varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In general, there is no universally accepted definition of an "assault weapon."[1] Nonetheless, "assault weapons" are often considered to be semiautomatic firearms with a large magazine, as first defined in a 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB)."[1]

The Federal Assault Weapons Ban enacted in 1994 expired in 2004. Attempts to renew this ban have failed, as have attempts to pass a new ban, such as the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013). Only seven U.S. states have assault weapons bans: three were enacted before the 1994 federal ban and four more passed before the federal ban expired. The majority of states, forty-three, have no assault weapons ban.

The 1994 federal and 1989 state ban in California were prompted by the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, California. Existing and proposed weapon bans come under renewed interest in the wake of mass shootings, most recently after the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. In addition to state bans, Washington, D.C., and some U.S. counties and municipalities have assault weapons laws.

Federal assault weapons bans

Expired Assault Weapons Ban of 1994

In January 1989, 34 children and a teacher were shot in Stockton, California, using a semi-automatic replica of an AK-47 assault rifle. Five children died.[2][3][4]:10 President George H.W. Bush banned the import of semiautomatic rifles in March 1989,[5] and made the ban permanent in July.[6] The assault weapons ban tried to address public concern about mass shootings while limiting the impact on recreational firearms use.[7]:1–2

In November 1993, the ban passed the United States Senate, although its author, Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, and other advocates said that it was a weakened version of the original proposal.[8] In January 1994, Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, said handguns and assault weapons should be banned.[9] In May of that year, former presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, wrote to the United States House of Representatives in support of banning "semi-automatic assault guns." They cited a 1993 CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll that found 77 percent of Americans supported a ban on the manufacture, sale, and possession of such weapons.[10] Rep. Jack Brooks, D-TX, then chair of the House Judiciary Committee, tried to remove the ban from the crime bill but failed.[11]

The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly called the federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB and AWB 1994), was enacted in September 1994. The ban, including a ban on high-capacity magazines, became defunct (expired) in September 2004 per a 10-year sunset provision.

Failed Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 bill

Efforts to pass a new federal assault weapons ban were renewed on December 14, 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut[12][13][14] - the deadliest primary or secondary school shooting in U.S. history.[15] On January 24, 2013, Dianne Feinstein introduced S. 150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013), in the U.S. Senate.[16] The bill was similar to the 1994 federal ban, but differed in that it used a one-feature test for a firearm to qualify as an assault weapon rather than the two-feature test of the 1994 ban.[17] On April 17, 2013, AWB 2013 failed on a Senate vote of 40 to 60.[18]

Proposed Assault Weapons Ban of 2015

The proposed bill H.R.4269, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015,[19] was introduced on December 16 of 2015 to the 114th United States Congress, sponsored by Representative David N. Cicilline[20] of Rhode Island along with 123 co-sponsors.[21] This legislation states that its purpose is "To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes."[19] It is opposed by the National Rifle Association[22] and runs counter to contemporary majority public opinion, according to research reported by ABC news. In particular, the report noted certain groups whose opposition to an assault weapon ban has increased from a similar survey conducted in 2013 -- "up 18 points among strong conservatives, 17 points among higher-income earners and 16 points in the generally more liberal Northeast. But it’s a broadly based trend. Many groups have moved from majority support for an assault weapons ban two years ago to majority opposition now: whites, 30- to 64-year-olds, suburbanites, political independents, moderates, residents of the West and Midwest, anyone without a post-graduate degree and those in $100,000-plus households." .[23] On the other hand, support for an assault weapons ban among other groups increased or remained the same of other groups remained the same -- "women, Northeasterners, seniors, post-graduates, liberals, Democrats and blacks. Differences among groups are extensive. Barely more than a third of men favor banning assault weapons, compared with more than half of women (35 percent vs. 53 percent). Seniors are most likely to favor banning assault weapons, while – despite their greater liberalism on many other issues – nearly six in 10 young adults oppose it. Opposition is high in rural areas (64 percent) and among those who lack a college degree.".[23] This study was conducted by Langer Research Associates for ABC news.

The proposed legislation targets various firearm accessories, including the barrel shroud (a covering for the barrel of the firearm to prevent the operator from burning his or her hands as the barrel becomes heated after the firing of multiple rounds), pistol grips, and certain types of firearm stocks such as telescoping or collapsing stocks.[19] Also included are lists of various classes and models of firearms, including some semi-automatic firearms, modern sporting rifles/assault weapons, semi-automatic pistols, semi-automatic shotguns, and others, some of which have already been banned or restricted under existing legislation.[19] The legislation also proscribes high-capacity magazines.[19]

State assault weapon bans

U.S. assault weapons bans by jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Status - By make/

model

Semiauto

rifles

Semiauto

pistols

 Shotguns Features

test

Magazine

capacity

California[24] In force No No No No No No
Connecticut[25] In force No No No No No No
District of Columbia[26] In force No No No No No No
Hawaii[27] In force No No No
Maryland[28] In force No No No No No No
Massachusetts[29] In force No No No No No No
New Jersey[30] In force No No No No No No
New York[31] In force No No No No No No

Three U.S. states passed assault weapons bans before Congress passed the federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994: California in 1989, New Jersey in 1990, and Connecticut in 1993. Four others passed assault weapons bans before AWB 1994 expired in 2004: Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.

California

1989

In May 1989, California became the first state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban, after the January 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton.[32] The Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, or AWCA, banned semi-automatic firearms that it classified as assault weapons: over 50 specific brands and models of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. It also banned magazines that it classified as large capacity (those able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition). Guns and magazines legally owned at the time the law was passed were grandfathered in if registered with the California Department of Justice.[33][34]

1999

In March 1999, State Senator Don Perata introduced Senate Bill 23 (SB 23). The bill had three provisions: to make illegal the manufacture, importation, sale or offer, or to give or lend any large-capacity magazine as defined as having the capacity to accept more than ten rounds; the addition of a "generic" definition list to the existing Roberti-Roos legislation; and the exemption to allow on and off duty and retired peace officers the use of assault weapons.[35] They are defined in Penal Code §12276.1 and §30515.[36] The bill was passed and went into effect on January 1, 2000.[37]

Connecticut

In June 1993, Connecticut became the third U.S. state, after California and New Jersey, to pass an assault weapons ban.[38] In April 2013, four months after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Connecticut General Assembly passed new restrictions to the state's existing assault weapons ban.[39] The law was challenged, but a federal judge upheld it and ruled it constitutional. Gun owners said they would appeal.[40]

Connecticut prohibits any person from possessing an assault weapon unless the weapon was possessed prior to July 1, 1994, and the possessor:

Connecticut defines an "assault weapon" as:

Connecticut also bans listed makes and models of semiautomatic firearms and copies of those firearms. Grandfather clauses and other exceptions apply, depending.[25]

Hawaii

Hawaiian law bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of what it defines as assault pistols. Hawaii defines an "assault pistol" as a semiautomatic handgun that accepts a detachable magazine and that has two or more of:

In tandem with the assault pistol ban is a law that bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of detachable ammunition magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds that are capable of use with a pistol.[41]

Hawaii was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.[42]

Maryland

Maryland law prohibits the possession, sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, or transportation into the state of assault weapons defined as assault pistols and assault long guns. Maryland's definition of an "assault long gun" includes a list of 45 specific firearms or their copies, with certain variations. Maryland's definition of an "assault pistol" includes a list of 15 specific firearms or their copies, with certain variations. Maryland also defines an assault weapon "copycat weapon" as:

In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of detachable magazines with capacities greater than 20 rounds.[43]

Maryland was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.[42]

Massachusetts

Massachusetts law bans the sale, transfer, or possession of assault weapons not otherwise lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Massachusetts defines "assault weapon" by the definition of "semiautomatic assault weapon" in the federal assault weapons ban of 1994. That definition included:

In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the sale, transfer, or possession of a large capacity feeding device unless such device was lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. The definition of "large capacity feeding device" included: a fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition or more than 5 shotgun shells; or a large capacity ammunition feeding device as defined in the federal assault weapons ban of 1994.[44]

Massachusetts was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.[42]

New Jersey

In May 1990, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban, after California. At the time, it was the toughest assault weapons ban in the nation.[45] AR-15 platform, semi-automatic rifles are illegal in New Jersey, and owning and publicly carrying other guns require separate licensing processes.[46]

Although it is commonly referred to as an assault weapons ban, New Jersey's law actually uses the term "assault firearm" to define banned and regulated guns. Some New Jersey gun advocates have called its laws "draconian." Attorney Evan Nappen, author of several books on New Jersey gun laws, says the term is "misapplied and carries with it a pejorative meaning."[46]

New York

New York law bans the manufacture, transport, disposal or possession an assault weapon in the state. It defines an "assault weapon" as:

In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the manufacture, transport, disposal or possession of a "large capacity ammunition feeding device," defined as: "a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that: 1) has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition; 2) contains more than seven rounds of ammunition; or 3) is obtained after January 15, 2013 and has a capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept more than seven rounds of ammunition."[47]

New York was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.[42]

Local assault weapons bans

Some local governments have laws that ban or restrict the possession of assault weapons.

District of Columbia

A Washington, D.C. law banning the possession of assault weapons was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2011.[48]

Illinois

The law that set up Illinois' concealed carry system in 2013 also established state preemption for certain areas of gun law, including restrictions on assault weapons. Laws passed before July 20, 2013 are grandfathered in, and a number of local governments in the Chicago area have laws that either prohibit or regulate the possession of firearms that they define as assault weapons.[49] These include the city of Chicago[50] and Cook County.[51] On December 7, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States refused to grant a writ of certiorari to take up a challenge brought against a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit which had upheld a local law banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois.[52] In refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court allowed the ruling to stand and the ban to remain in place.

Indiana

In March 1989 the Northwest Indiana cities of Gary and East Chicago city councils passed ordinances prohibiting both sale and possession of assault weapons. Gary City Councilman Vernon G. Smith (D-4th) sponsored the ordinance making it a crime to possess or sell assault-type weapons.[53]

Massachusetts

Boston has a law prohibiting the possession or transfer of assault weapons without a license from the Boston Police Commissioner.[54]

References

  1. 1 2 Levs, Josh (January 31, 2013). "Loaded language poisons gun debate". Cable News Network. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Senate restricts assault weapon imports, production". The Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. May 23, 1990. p. A13.
  3. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (December 20, 1993). "One Gun's Journey Into A Crime". The Courant (Hartford, CT).
  4. ↑ Roth, Jeffrey A.; Koper, Christopher S. (1997). "Impact Evaluation of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute.
  5. ↑ Mohr, Charles (March 15, 1989). "U.S. Bans Imports of Assault Rifles in Shift by Bush". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ Rasky, Susan F. (July 8, 1989). "Import Ban on Assault Rifles Becomes Permanent". The New York Times.
  7. ↑ Roth, Jeffrey A.; Christopher S. Koper (March 1999). "Impacts of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban" (PDF). National Institute of Justice Research in Brief (NCJ 173405).
  8. ↑ Bunting, Glenn F. (November 9, 1993). "Feinstein Faces Fight for Diluted Gun Bill". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ↑ Sugarmann, Josh (January 1994). "Reverse FIRE: The Brady Bill won't break the sick hold guns have on America. It's time for tougher measures.". Mother Jones.
  10. ↑ Eaton, William J. (May 5, 1994). "Ford, Carter, Reagan Push for Gun Ban". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ↑ Seelye, Katharine Q. (July 28, 1994). "Assault Weapons Ban Allowed To Stay in Anti-crime Measure". The New York Times.
  12. ↑ Barron, James (December 15, 2012). "Children Were All Shot Multiple Times With a Semiautomatic, Officials Say". New York Times (New York Times Company). Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ Levy, Gabrielle (December 21, 2012). "Obama responds to gun violence petition" (blog). United Press International. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  14. ↑ Steinhauer, Jennifer (January 24, 2013). "Senator Unveils Bill to Limit Semiautomatic Arms". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  15. ↑ Effron, Lauren (December 14, 2012). "Mass School Shootings: A History". ABC News. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  16. ↑ Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rev. Gary Hall, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy et al. (January 24, 2013). Assault Weapons Ban Bill (video). Washington, D.C.: National Cable Satellite Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  17. ↑ Kucinich, Jackie (January 24, 2013). "Democrats reintroduce assault weapons ban". USA Today. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ Simon, Richard (April 17, 2013). "Senate votes down Feinstein's assault weapons ban". Los Angeles Times.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Text - H.R.4269 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Assault Weapons Ban of 2015".
  20. ↑ "David N. Cicilline".
  21. ↑ "Cosponsors - H.R.4269 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Assault Weapons Ban of 2015".
  22. ↑ NRA-ILA. "NRA-ILA - 124 Anti-gun Democrats Introduce Semi-Auto Gun and Magazine Ban in House of Representatives". NRA-ILA.
  23. 1 2 ABC News. "Most Now Oppose an Assault Weapons Ban; Doubts About Stopping a Lone Wolf Run High (POLL)". ABC News.
  24. ↑ "Assault Weapons in California". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Assault Weapons in Connecticut". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. August 8, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Assault Weapons in the District of Columbia". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  27. 1 2 "Assault Weapons in Hawaii". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  28. 1 2 "Assault Weapons in Maryland". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  29. 1 2 "Assault Weapons in Massachusetts". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Assault Weapons in New Jersey". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 1, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  31. 1 2 "Assault Weapons in New York". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 1, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  32. ↑ Ingram, Carl (May 19, 1989). "Assault Gun Ban Wins Final Vote : Deukmejian's Promised Approval Would Make It 1st Such U.S. Law". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  33. ↑ Office of the Attorney General (November 2001). "Assault Weapons Identification Guide 2000" (PDF). oag.ca.gov. California Department of Justice. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  34. ↑ Attorney General (June 8, 2012). "California Firearms Laws 2007" (PDF). ag.ca.gov. California Department of Justice. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  35. ↑ Perata. "Addition to Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989 – Enactment of Generic Assault Weapon Ban/Registration Requirements and Ban on Manufacture, Sale or Transfer of "Large-Capacity" Magazines". Senate Committee on Public Safety, Senator John Vasconcellos, Chair 1999-2000 Regular Session. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  36. ↑ "What is considered an assault weapon under California law?". oag.ca.gov. California DOJ. 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  37. ↑ Staff. "Senate Bill 23 Assault Weapon Characteristics". California Attorney General. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  38. ↑ Johnson, Kirk (June 9, 1993). "Weicker Signs Bill to Forbid Assault Rifles". New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Connecticut Governor Signs Gun Measures". New York Times. Associated Press. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  40. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (January 30, 2014). "Federal judge upholds Sandy Hook gun law". Connecticut Mirror (Connecticut News Project). Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Hawaii". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  42. 1 2 3 4 Koerner, Brendan (September 16, 2004). "What Is an Assault Weapon? At last, you can get a semiautomatic rifle with a bayonet.". Slate (The Slate Group). Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Maryland". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Massachusetts". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  45. ↑ DePalma, Anthony (May 18, 1990). "New Jersey Votes the Strictest Law In the Nation on Assault Weapons". New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  46. 1 2 Linhorst, Michael; Connor, Erinn; Fujimori, Sachi (July 21, 2012). "N.J. law bans assault rifles, restricts other weapons". The Record (North Jersey Media Group). Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in New York". smartgunlaws.org. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. January 2, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  48. ↑ Duggan, Paul (October 4, 2011). "Federal Appeals Court Panel Rules in Favor of D.C. Gun Law", Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  49. ↑ McCoppin, Robert (July 21, 2013). "Some Suburbs Pass Assault Weapon Restrictions, Others Dissuaded by Gun Owners", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  50. ↑ "City of Chicago Regulation Defining "Assault Weapon"". chicagopolice.org. Chicago Police Department. 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Division 4. Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban". municode.com. Municipal Code Corporation. 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  52. ↑ Gass, Nick (December 7, 2015). "Supreme Court won't hear assault weapons ban case". Politico. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  53. ↑ Staff (January 15, 1990). "Assault Weapon Sales Recoil Gary, East Chicago Outlawed Them; None Turned In to Police". Post-Tribune (IN)  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  54. ↑ "State Gun Laws: Massachusetts", NRA-ILA. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
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