What Was The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban? On September 13, 1994, President Clinton signed into law the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included a federal assault weapons ban requiring domestic gun manufacturers to end production of semi-automatic assault weapons and ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds.
Which Weapons Did It Ban? The ban did not affect any of the weapons produced for police or the military and focused primarily on private ownership. The bill banned the manufacturing, transfer, and possession of: - Nineteen specific weapons;
- "Copies" or "duplicates" of the nineteen listed weapons; and
- Certain firearms (including rifles, pistols, and shotguns) with multiple assault weapon features.
What Is The Current Status of the Ban? Because the assault weapons ban was not renewed under President Bush, it expired on September 13, 2004. Therefore, no current federal law exists to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Has My State Taken Any Action To Prohibit Assault Weapons?Prior to the end of the federal ban, seven states, including California and New York, had laws governing assault weapons. Now, some states are attempting to create regulations comparable to the federal ban. For example, in May 2005, Illinois lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposed ban on assault weapons.
Do I Need A Lawyer? While some states have strong gun control laws, others have none. Therefore, a criminal lawyer will be able to discuss with you the gun laws in your state, as well as your options if you possess an illegal weapon or are accused of another gun offense. |
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