• Background: 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban
• Debate: Effectiveness v. Evidence that ban works
• Country Comparison: Western Europe have strict gun laws
• Recent Developments: 2007 House Bill

Background

A provision to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the 10 year Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) attempted to broadly define 'assault weapons' and create more effective restrictions on their production and distribution. The bill was signed into law by President Clinton on 13 September 1994 and expired in 2004. The states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California all have independent assault weapons bans.

Debate

• The effectiveness of the provision is still being debated. Proponents of strict gun control point to the fact that now, with the expiration of the ban, law officers face a mass resurgence of assault weapons in everything from robberies to basic traffic stops. In a 2004 report (link) examining the effects of the ban, it was shown that out of 1.4 million guns involved in crime, assault weapons made up only 1.61%, a drop off 66% from the pre-ban rate; this translated into 60,000 prevented assault weapon crimes over the 10 year ban period.

• Opponents of the ban, however, insist that it is too early to get an accurate picture of the AWB effectiveness and that it could very well have had a minimal impact on crime.

Country Comparison

• China
  

  In China, firearm possession is not protected in any constitutional sense. Weapons, which includes all firearms, are divided into four categories that carry penalties for possession and concealment. Only citizens who are members of hunting and shooting sports clubs may obtain licenses for weapons.

Recent Developments

In February 2007 a bill sponsored by Representative Carolyn McCarthy was introduced that would cut in half the classification requirements of 'assault weapons' thus broadening the reach of the law. The bill, referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on March 19, 2007, currently has 51 co-sponsors.

Additional Information