'Assault weapons' ban was a poor crime-fighting tool

The Free Lance-Star ^ | 8/15/2004 | Chris W. Cox

[neverdem]

You have it exactly backward on the federal "assault-weapon" ban. You claim it is expiring on Sept. 13 due to "political pressure" by its opponents ["Extend the ban," Aug. 9]. To the contrary, federal law requires it to expire.

The "political pressure" being waged is by gun prohibitionists who want the ban renewed and expanded, as shown by your high-pressure editorial in which you compare semi-automatic firearms to "bazookas" and describe people who oppose gun control as "zealots."

Despite the pressure, the ban isn't being renewed because most in Congress know that it imposed irrational restrictions on law-abiding Americans and did not affect criminals. In fact, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the ban in 1996.

Not one shred of evidence has been produced in 10 years to validate this law as a crime-fighting measure. Even the rabidly anti-gun Violence Policy Center admits, "You can't argue with a straight face that the ban has been effective."

The motives of those who pushed the ban a decade ago, and the way that legislators and the public were deceived about it are explained on our clintongunban.com Web site.

The ban's history is interesting, but people should be more immediately concerned about the future. Sens. John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, and Ted Kennedy are now co-sponsoring S. 1431, a bill that would effectively ban all hunting and sporting semi-automatic shotguns and detachable-magazine, semi-automatic rifles.

Faced with such assaults on their Second Amendment rights, millions of sportsmen and gun owners across America will be applying true "political pressure" on Election Day.

Chris W. Cox

Fairfax

Chris W. Cox is executive director of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action.

[Jeff Head]

That's because the AWB was never meant to fight crime...it was meant to disarm law-abiding American citizens.

[goldstategop]

Liberalism is driven by emotion, not reason. Can any one explain to me the rationale for banning cetain types of semi-automatic rifles purely on the basis of appearance? They're the same as rifles that don't have a military-style look. I think its goes to liberals' contempt of the military as well as their empathy with the plight of the criminal element. When the right of self-defense is outlawed, society becomes more vicious and cruel. But for the Left, its not people's behavior that causes them to shoot people, its the weapons that made them do it.

[coloradan]

Can any one explain to me the rationale for banning cetain types of semi-automatic rifles purely on the basis of appearance?

"Passing a law like the assault weapons ban is a symbolic - purely symbolic - move in that direction.  Its only real justification is not to reduce crime but to desensitize the public to the regulation of weapons in preparation for their ultimate confiscation." - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post, Friday, April 5, 1996, page A19.

[Blood of Tyrants]

S. 1431

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	GPO's PDF Display	Congressional Record References	Bill Summary & Status	Printer Friendly Display - 14,841 bytes.[Help]

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Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003 (Introduced in Senate)

S 1431 IS

108th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1431

To reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 17, 2003

Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. CORZINE) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 921(a)(30) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

`(30) The term `semiautomatic assault weapon' means any of the following:

`(A) The following rifles or copies or duplicates thereof:

`(i) AK, AKM, AKS, AK-47, AK-74, ARM, MAK90, Misr, NHM 90, NHM 91, SA 85, SA 93, VEPR;

`(ii) AR-10;

`(iii) AR-15, Bushmaster XM15, Armalite M15, or Olympic Arms PCR;

`(iv) AR70;

`(v) Calico Liberty;

`(vi) Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle or Dragunov SVU;

`(vii) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, or FNC;

`(viii) Hi-Point Carbine;

`(ix) HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, or HK-PSG-1;

`(x) Kel-Tec Sub Rifle;

`(xi) M1 Carbine;

`(xii) Saiga;

`(xiii) SAR-8, SAR-4800;

`(xiv) SKS with detachable magazine;

`(xv) SLG 95;

`(xvi) SLR 95 or 96;

`(xvii) Steyr AUG;

`(xviii) Sturm, Ruger Mini-14;

`(xix) Tavor;

`(xx) Thompson 1927, Thompson M1, or Thompson 1927 Commando; or

`(xxi) Uzi, Galil and Uzi Sporter, Galil Sporter, or Galil Sniper Rifle (Galatz).

`(B) The following pistols or copies or duplicates thereof:

`(i) Calico M-110;

`(ii) MAC-10, MAC-11, or MPA3;

`(iii) Olympic Arms OA;

`(iv) TEC-9, TEC-DC9, TEC-22 Scorpion, or AB-10; or

`(v) Uzi.

`(C) The following shotguns or copies or duplicates thereof:

`(i) Armscor 30 BG;

`(ii) SPAS 12 or LAW 12;

`(iii) Striker 12; or

`(iv) Streetsweeper.

`(D) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine, and that has--

`(i) a folding or telescoping stock;

`(ii) a threaded barrel;

`(iii) a pistol grip;

`(iv) a forward grip; or

`(v) a barrel shroud.

`(E)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a semiautomatic rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

`(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

`(F) A semiautomatic pistol that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine, and has--

`(i) a second pistol grip;

`(ii) a threaded barrel;

`(iii) a barrel shroud; or

`(iv) the capacity to accept a detachable magazine at a location outside of the pistol grip.

`(G) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

`(H) A semiautomatic shotgun that has--

`(i) a folding or telescoping stock;

`(ii) a pistol grip;

`(iii) the ability to accept a detachable magazine; or

`(iv) a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds.

`(I) A shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

`(J) A frame or receiver that is identical to, or based substantially on the frame or receiver of, a firearm described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) or (L).

`(K) A conversion kit.

`(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General. In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, and a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.'.

(b) RELATED DEFINITIONS- Section 921(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(36) BARREL SHROUD- The term `barrel shroud' means a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel of a firearm so that the shroud protects the user of the firearm from heat generated by the barrel, but does not include a slide that encloses the barrel, and does not include an extension of the stock along the bottom of the barrel which does not encircle or substantially encircle the barrel.

`(37) CONVERSION KIT- The term `conversion kit' means any part or combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a firearm into a semiautomatic assault weapon, and any combination of parts from which a semiautomatic assault weapon can be assembled if the parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.

`(38) DETACHABLE MAGAZINE- The term `detachable magazine' means an ammunition feeding device that can readily be inserted into a firearm.

`(39) FIXED MAGAZINE- The term `fixed magazine' means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm.

`(40) FOLDING OR TELESCOPING STOCK- The term `folding or telescoping stock' means a stock that folds, telescopes, or otherwise operates to reduce the length, size, or any other dimension, or otherwise enhances the concealability, of a firearm.

`(41) FORWARD GRIP- The term `forward grip' means a grip located forward of the trigger that functions as a pistol grip.

`(42) PISTOL GRIP- The term `pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip.

`(43) THREADED BARREL- The term `threaded barrel' means a feature or characteristic that is designed in such a manner to allow for the attachment of a firearm as defined in section 5845(a) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)).'.

SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF SUNSET.

Section 110105 of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Protection Act is amended--

(1) by striking `--' and all that follows through `(1)'; and

(2) by striking `; and' and all that follows through `that date'.

SEC. 4. GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS.

Section 922(v)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by inserting `(A)' after `(2)';

(2) by striking `on the date of the enactment of this subsection' and inserting `as of September 13, 1994'; and

(3) by adding after and below the end the following:

`(B) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any firearm the possession or transfer of which would (but for this subparagraph) be unlawful by reason of this subsection, and which is otherwise lawfully possessed on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph.'.

SEC. 5. REPEAL OF CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS.

Section 922(v)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking `(3)' and all that follows through the end of the first sentence and inserting the following:

`(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any firearm that--

`(A) is manually operated by bolt, pump, level, or slide action;

`(B) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or

`(C) is an antique firearm.'.

SEC. 6. REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE TRANSFER OF LAWFULLY POSSESSED SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS.

Section 922(v) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer a semiautomatic assault weapon to which paragraph (1) does not apply, except through--

`(A) a licensed dealer, and for purposes of subsection (t) in the case of such a transfer, the weapon shall be considered to be transferred from the business inventory of the licensed dealer and the dealer shall be considered to be the transferor; or

`(B) a State or local law enforcement agency if the transfer is made in accordance with the procedures provided for in subsection (t) of this section and section 923(g).

`(6) The Attorney General shall establish and maintain, in a timely manner, a record of the make, model, and date of manufacture of any semiautomatic assault weapon which the Attorney General is made aware has been used in relation to a crime under Federal or State law, and the nature and circumstances of the crime involved, including the outcome of relevant criminal investigations and proceedings. The Attorney General shall annually submit the record to the Congress and make the record available to the general public.'.

SEC. 7. STRENGTHENING THE BAN ON THE POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF A LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE.

(a) BAN ON TRANSFER OF SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON WITH LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following:

`(z) It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer any assault weapon with a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'.

(2) PENALTIES- Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(z) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.'.

(b) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 922(w) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking `on or before the date of enactment of this subsection' and inserting `in the United States on or before September 13, 1994';

(B) in paragraph (3)--

(i) by adding `or' at the end of subparagraph (B); and

(ii) by striking subparagraph (C) and redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); and

(C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

`(4) It shall be unlawful for a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer who transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device that was manufactured on or before September 13, 1994, to fail to certify to the Attorney General before the end of the 60-day period that begins with the date of the transfer, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, that the device was manufactured on or before September 13, 1994.'.

(2) PENALTIES- Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a)(2), is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(9) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(w)(4) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.'.

SEC. 8. UNLAWFUL WEAPONS TRANSFERS TO JUVENILES.

Section 922(x) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1)--

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

`(C) a semiautomatic assault weapon; or

`(D) a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'; and

(2) in paragraph (2)--

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

`(C) a semiautomatic assault weapon; or

`(D) a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'.

SEC. 9. BAN ON IMPORTATION OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 922(w) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 7(b)(1), is further amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)' and inserting `(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B)';

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking `(2) Paragraph (1)' and inserting `(B) Subparagraph (A)'; and

(3) by inserting before paragraph (3) the following:

`(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to import or bring into the United States a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 921(a)(31)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking `manufactured after the date of enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994'.

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[tdadams]

Well said Rep. Cox. This silly ban is the quintessential symbolism-over-substance politics. Sure, maybe it is completely ineffective, but it makes us feel like we're doing something. </sarcasm>

[goldstategop]

Orwellian title. It has nothing to do with protecting law enforcement. And its easy enough to get around the ban by modifying or removing prohibited features. The entire proposal is a joke and a waste of taxpayers' money. Not to mention that it guts the 2nd Amendment.

[Dead Corpse]

That had better die in committee. If it passes, and Bush has promised to sign it should it reach his desk, then consider the curtain closed on the American Experiment.

Badnarik will get my vote. From alienating so much of his conservative base, Bush will lose the election. And civil war will probably result.

The future just got a lot bleaker. I've already e-mailed my Reps and Senators for all the good it'll do.

[goldstategop]

Liberalism is about doing things that make people feel good, not necessarily doing things that make their lives better. This penchant for symbolism is nowhere more in evidence than in the assault weapons ban.

[Sender]

Liberals not only can't provide any real reason, they're not even sincere about the emotional hype over the appearance and features. "Assault weapons" were coined to have some kind of gun to demonize since the liberals knew they couldn't demonize hunting weapons...yet. They were dreamed up by Josh Sugarmann and the Bradys and the VPC as an evil bogeyman, thinking if they can just get these banned, they plan to add guns to the ban until they are all gone. Now they are freaking because they realize if they can't even maintain the AW ban, their chances of banning the rest are about zero.

[Squantos]

I'll disagree just a bit....the AWB in it's current form was to make "felons" out of law abidding owners by confusing BS aspects of the law. Post ban and pre ban configurations, assembly of a SAW with post or pre ban parts, collaspable stocks on a post ban etc... etc..... One had to have a doctorate in Bullsh*t to understand the AWB law and comply with it. They made it such to push folks to easier to dump em attitude vs trying to walk the wire that the BatFag-E's were enforcing

The AWB didn't really ban but a few NEW firearms like the TEC 9 etc.... Most of the eeeeeevil black firearms continued to be made with a muzzle brake vs a flash supressor, or a thumbhole stock vs a pistol grip confabualtion. Now the BAN was on in states like Kaliporina etc but that was based on the high number of drive by bayonettings no doubt. Bad bayonet lug brought all this upon us !

Only 29 more days I believe till this law is bird cage liner..... Wonder if the manufacturers are gonna have a "sale" on hi cap magazines and such ? I ain't spending a dime on new firearms till I can replenish my combat tupperware and SIG hicap magazines which have endured the 10 years of hard use.....:o)


STAY SAFE JEFF !

[AppleButter]

Badnarik will get my vote. From alienating so much of his conservative base, Bush will lose the election. And civil war will probably result.

I'm afraid I must agree with all of your points.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is tied up in the Judiciary Committe now and will probably stay there.

[PsyOp]

The Second Amendment - Commentaries

[Dead Corpse]

It sure as hell better. However, this is an election year and this is a big issue for the freedom haters.

[1Old Pro]

GOOD LETTER BUMP. CAUTION: REASON ALERT.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Badnarik will get my vote

You're a fool, plain and simple. You know damn well AWB won't make it out of Congress.

Bush said he'll sign it - but he said it because it took an issue out of the hands of the gun grabbers and left them totally naked and defenseless. If Bush knew that the bill had a chance to pass both bodies of Congress he would have said he'd veto it. Now the gun-grabbers can't piss and moan at Bush, and Bush is not obligated to tell Congress to pass AWB - he said he'll sign it - IF IT REACHES HIS DESK. He didn't say he was going to move heaven and earth to get it to his desk.

Again, people continue to underestimate Bush.

.

[Dead Corpse]

You know damn well AWB won't make it out of Congress.

In that case, Bush has my vote. How hard is that calculus Einstein? Careful who you run around calling "fool". Did you bother to read what I wrote? Or did you just see "Badnarik" and decide to jump in with both boots?

NEVER trust a politician. Even if they are supposedly on your side. Always have a back-up plan. Michael is mine. Bush EARNS my vote the day after the AWB sunsets.

[jonascord]

Why should Bush care if the "loyal opposition" pisses itself dry, and moans 'til the cows come home? They are doing damned all to help protect the country, or their constituents, and for Bush to do anything else than tell them to "talk to the hand" is a waste of breath.

I would just like to point out that his daddy is no bud to the NRA, and I am beginning to wonder to just what point GW is his own man.

[Hank Rearden]

Now the gun-grabbers can't piss and moan at Bush, and Bush is not obligated to tell Congress to pass AWB - he said he'll sign it - IF IT REACHES HIS DESK. He didn't say he was going to move heaven and earth to get it to his desk.

So he's just being a cheap political hack, instead of screwing up some actual courage and principles and telling the gun-grabbers to shove it up their McGreeveys because it's an irretrievably bad idea.