Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a new bill calling for a ban on “assault weapons” in the United States. H.R.5087, also known as the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2018,” comes two weeks after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. which killed 17 people.
“Assault Weapons Ban of 2018” Contents
Introduced by Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and co-sponsored by 166 other Democrats, the measure would—according to a presser from Cicilline—“prohibit the sale, production, transfer and importation”—of the following items:
- Semi-automatic rifles and pistols with a military-style feature that can accept a detachable magazine
- All Semi-automatic rifles with a fixed magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds
- Semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature
- Any ammunition feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds
- 205 specifically-named and listed firearms
The language of the bill defines classifies the following as “military-style features”: pistol grip; forward grip; detachable magazine; folding, telescoping, or detachable stock; grenade launcher or rocket launcher; barrel shroud; and threaded barrel.
The bill bans AR rifles and pistols made by the likes of Sig Sauer, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, Steyr, CZ, IWI, Heckler & Koch, Daniel Defense, Armalite, Remington, Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, FN, Barrett, and many others. Belt-fed semi-auto firearms like the TNW M2HB and FN M2495 would also get the axe.
Also banned in this bill are “all AK types.”
Congressmen Comments
The measure would not apply to any “semiautomatic assault weapon otherwise lawfully possessed” before the date of enactment.
“Assault weapons were made for one purpose. They are designed to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time. They do not belong in our communities,” Cicilline said in his press release. “I am proud to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban with the support of leaders in law enforcement. It’s on all of us to end this carnage.”
“Americans don’t own tanks or missiles; so why should our streets be flooded with weapons of war made for the sole purpose of killing people? The Stoneman Douglas community is still reeling from this awful tragedy. But they want and deserve action from Congress,” Deutch added. “Banning assault weapons isn’t a Democratic idea, nor is it new; President Reagan supported the initial ban, which expired in 2004. Most Americans support the assault weapons ban. Now it’s time for Congress to listen and pass sensible legislation to get these weapons of war off our streets.”
H.R.5087 now sits in the House Committee on the Judiciary. The Republicans have a 238-193 majority in the House of Representatives.
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