The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, a bill enacted in 1993 that remains in effect today, did augment background checks and prevented the purchase of many firearms by convicted felons (171 per day, on average), domestic abusers (48) and fugitives (19). However, it is clear that a strict assault-weapons ban is necessary in order to deter mass shootings.
Actual assault rifles such as the M16--a fully automatic gun capable of firing off 700-900 rounds per minute--are unavailable to the public for purchase and are hard to acquire, but mass shooters have other means of attaining their desires. A common theme between many recent mass shooters is their weapon of choice, the AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle that appeared at shootings in Parkland, Fla.; Melcroft, Pa.; San Bernardino, Calif.; and Las Vegas. The AR-15 and others of its kind, which have become known as "assault-style rifles," are far easier to obtain because they are legal and relatively cheap.
Many Democrats have already called for a ban on assault weapons.
"So long as assault rifles like the AR-15 are legally sold in this state, so long as they are not banned, their threat to civilians will remain in every school, every mall, every theater, every nightclub, and in every place the public gathers," said Florida State Senator Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens.
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) introduced an assault-weapons ban in the U.S. House in late February, which has garnered 174 co-sponsors to date. Cicilline's proposal comes a year after a ban proposed to the Senate by Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who spearheaded the original AWB in 1994. Both options would ban sales of certain semiautomatic rifles that feature military-style accessories, including pistol grips and suppressors. The sale of magazines able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition would also be outlawed.
Although several Republican lawmakers have shown hints of support for an assault-weapons ban, lawmakers on the right have yet to sponsor, cosponsor, or endorse such a bill.
The rifles used in Las Vegas were customized with bump stocks, an attachment that enables semi-automatic rifles to fire faster and, essentially, become fully automatic. Bump-stock bans are currently being considered in several states, including Maryland, where Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said he would sign a ban once it reaches his desk.
Settling for only a bump-stock ban is far from enough to alleviate the gun-control issue. While such a ban is also a needed step, we need to restore the commonsense ban on assault weapons, one similar to the bill that was in effect from 1994 to 2004. An assault ban is the U.S.'s best chance at eliminating the constant mass-shooting headlines.
Robert Weiner was spokesman for the White House National Drug Control Policy Office, the U.S. House Judiciary and Government Operations Committees, and the House Narcotics Committee. Brad Star is a policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates and Solutions for Change.
(Article changed on April 27, 2018 at 03:08)
(Article changed on April 27, 2018 at 13:01)
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