New “Assault Weapons” Ban Introduced in Congress
Last week, lame duck U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) revived her crusade to ban semi-automatic rifles along with all magazines holding more than ten (10) rounds. Feinstein’s new legislation, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2019″, would ban “the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name.” Also included would be certain firearms that accept “a detachable ammunition magazine and [have] one or more military characteristics including a pistol grip, a forward grip, a barrel shroud, a threaded barrel or a folding or telescoping stock.” The federal legislation would also outlaw a variety of adjustable stocks plus stabilizing braces for pistols. Magazines would be banned if they “hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition”.
Feinstein and lead co-sponsors Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) say their legislation is needed to end mass shootings and “rid the streets” of “military grade weaponry”.
However, it is unclear that this sweeping gun ban would have any significant effects, other than restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. According to the NRA-ILA: “The firearms the bill targets are … the most popular class of centerfire rifles in America, with some 16 million having entered then stream of commerce in the U.S. since the previous national ban expired in 2004. Law-abiding Americans use them for every type of lawful purpose, including personal and home defense, hunting, marksmanship competitions, and recreational target practice.”
Semi-Auto Rifles Are Rarely Used in Crimes
The NRA-ILA states: “While law-abiding Americans have adopted semiautomatic rifles in droves, they are not the firearm of choice for violent criminals. Year after year, the FBI’s statistics tell a consistent story: rifles of any sort are used less often as a murder weapon than other types of common firearms, as well as knives and cutting instruments, clubs and other blunt objects, and even hands, fists, and feet. Feinstein’s bill would ban firearms that are actually under-represented in nationwide violent crime trends.
The NSSF Opposes Sen. Feinstein’s Latest Gun Control Bill:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition, today announced that it opposes the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 introduced in the U.S. Senate[.]
The legislation introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, like earlier versions, relies on wrongfully defining commonly-owned semi-automatic rifles based on certain cosmetic features. The new version of this legislation, however, expands ways to ban the most-popular center-fire rifle in America. Since the original Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004, more than 16 million of these rifles have been legally purchased for lawful purposes.
“It is disappointing to see politicians continue to pursue a failed policy agenda that has proven ineffective in improving public safety and will deny law-abiding citizens their Constitutional right,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs and General Counsel. “Despite what proponents may say, the record shows that Sen. Feinstein’s original 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban had no demonstrable impact on reducing crime and this one would be equally ineffective.”
Since the original ban, firearms ownership has increased while the criminal misuse of firearms has steadily dropped. FBI crime statistics demonstrate there is no justification for banning modern sporting rifles. Senator Feinstein continues to mislead the American public by demonizing semi-automatic rifles based on external, cosmetic features that have no bearing on the function of a firearm[.]
Similar Posts:
- U.S. Senator D. Feinstein to Sponsor New “Assault Weapons Ban”
- Feinstein Introduces New Ban on Semi-Auto Rifles and Magazines
- House of Representatives Votes to Ban Modern Sporting Rifles
- Gun Sales Steady in Uncertain Times
- California Legislators Approve Ban on All Self-Loading Centerfire Rifles with Detachable Magazines — Bill Goes to Governor
Tags: Assault Weapons Ban, Congress, Democratic Party, Dianne Feinstein, U.S. House Representatives
“As of 01/15/2019 text has not been received for S.66″ – https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/66/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22S.66%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=4
Feinstein is a prime example of why hair dye should be tested for toxicity.
Well …..As with the wonderful , fantastic ACA , which “WE” Demon-crats passed , “WE” have to pass it , so then , “WE” can read , and understand it ! You peons just sit quietly , while “WE” elitist strip you of your evil and un-necessary RIGHTS ! After all ; “WE” do know what’s best for you !
fighting for freedom…
Just yesterday ,1/15/19, the new Brazilian president made firearms legal for citizens! What is happening to us?
Can,t you see
they are commies” Not Dems
It,s the swamp again same old people, on handgun control,s payroll
The text has now been posted – see https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s66/BILLS-116s66is.pdf
Very difficult to understand why “APPENDIX A—FIREARMS EXEMPTED BY THE
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2017″ does NOT include a generic description for firearms not listed but which do NOT include “assault weapon” features. There are literally thousands of supposedly (generically/by-feature)”exempt” firearms that are not listed, e.g. the Mossberg 590 shotgun. [Yes, APPENDIX lists bolt action, pump, lever and slide action rifles and shotguns – NO pistols or revolvers.] Why isn’t the exemption by specific feature set rather than list hundreds of makes and models. What does that list actually do – restrict in some manner if NOT listed; especially since pistols, of any type, are not listed???
Also note that the included grandfather clause has an effective date of the date of legislation ENACTMENT, not some then-future implementation date.
My bottom line, at this point, is that this bill, a SENATE bill, will VERY likely never get out of the Senate. Actually, how is it that it was even heard in the Senate???