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Revision as of 22:45, 18 July 2014 editMudwater (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers64,694 edits Restored recently removed material about local bans. See Talk:Assault weapons legislation in the United States#Some changes.← Previous edit Revision as of 22:47, 18 July 2014 edit undoMudwater (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers64,694 edits This article is about assault weapons legislation in the United States, so there's no need to put everything under a United States section.Next edit →
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The 1994 federal ban and first state ban, in California, were prompted by the ] in Stockton, California, in January 1989. Existing and proposed weapon bans come under scrutiny in the wake of ]s, most recently after the December 2012 ] in Newtown, Connecticut. The 1994 federal ban and first state ban, in California, were prompted by the ] in Stockton, California, in January 1989. Existing and proposed weapon bans come under scrutiny in the wake of ]s, most recently after the December 2012 ] in Newtown, Connecticut.


⚫ ==Federal Assault Weapons Ban==
==United States of America==
⚫ ===Federal Assault Weapons Ban===
{{Main|Federal Assault Weapons Ban}} {{Main|Federal Assault Weapons Ban}}
In January 1989, ], using a semi-automatic replica of an AK-47 assault rifle. Five children died.<ref name="PittsPress 900523">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Senate restricts assault weapon imports, production |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=onk0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=assault-weapon&pg=7212%2C4372530 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |agency=Associated Press |date=May 23, 1990 |page=A13 }}</ref><ref name="Pazniokas 931220">{{cite news |title=One Gun's Journey Into A Crime |first=Mark |last=Pazniokas |url=http://articles.courant.com/1993-12-20/news/0000000491_1_gun-control-assault-weapons-assault-weapon-law |newspaper=The Courant |location=Hartford, CT |date=December 20, 1993 }}</ref><ref name="Roth-Koper ImpactEval1997">{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Jeffrey A. |last2=Koper |first2=Christopher S. |year=1997 |title=Impact Evaluation of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=The Urban Institute |format=PDF |url=http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/aw_final.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|10}} President ] banned the import of semiautomatic rifles in March 1989,<ref name="Mohr 890315">{{cite news |title=U.S. BANS IMPORTS OF ASSAULT RIFLES IN SHIFT BY BUSH |first=Charles |last=Mohr |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/15/us/us-bans-imports-of-assault-rifles-in-shift-by-bush.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 15, 1989 }}</ref> and made the ban permanent in July.<ref name="Rasky 890708">{{cite news |title=Import Ban on Assault Rifles Becomes Permanent |first=Susan F. |last=Rasky |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/08/us/import-ban-on-assault-rifles-becomes-permanent.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 8, 1989 }}</ref> The assault weapons ban tried to address public concern about mass shootings while limiting the impact on recreational firearms use.<ref name="Roth-Koper ImpactsBrief1999">{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Jeffrey A. |author2=Christopher S. Koper |title=Impacts of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban |url=https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/173405.pdf |journal=National Institute of Justice Research in Brief |issue=NCJ 173405 |date=March 1999 }}</ref>{{rp|1–2}} In January 1989, ], using a semi-automatic replica of an AK-47 assault rifle. Five children died.<ref name="PittsPress 900523">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Senate restricts assault weapon imports, production |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=onk0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=assault-weapon&pg=7212%2C4372530 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |agency=Associated Press |date=May 23, 1990 |page=A13 }}</ref><ref name="Pazniokas 931220">{{cite news |title=One Gun's Journey Into A Crime |first=Mark |last=Pazniokas |url=http://articles.courant.com/1993-12-20/news/0000000491_1_gun-control-assault-weapons-assault-weapon-law |newspaper=The Courant |location=Hartford, CT |date=December 20, 1993 }}</ref><ref name="Roth-Koper ImpactEval1997">{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Jeffrey A. |last2=Koper |first2=Christopher S. |year=1997 |title=Impact Evaluation of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=The Urban Institute |format=PDF |url=http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/aw_final.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|10}} President ] banned the import of semiautomatic rifles in March 1989,<ref name="Mohr 890315">{{cite news |title=U.S. BANS IMPORTS OF ASSAULT RIFLES IN SHIFT BY BUSH |first=Charles |last=Mohr |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/15/us/us-bans-imports-of-assault-rifles-in-shift-by-bush.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 15, 1989 }}</ref> and made the ban permanent in July.<ref name="Rasky 890708">{{cite news |title=Import Ban on Assault Rifles Becomes Permanent |first=Susan F. |last=Rasky |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/08/us/import-ban-on-assault-rifles-becomes-permanent.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 8, 1989 }}</ref> The assault weapons ban tried to address public concern about mass shootings while limiting the impact on recreational firearms use.<ref name="Roth-Koper ImpactsBrief1999">{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Jeffrey A. |author2=Christopher S. Koper |title=Impacts of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban |url=https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/173405.pdf |journal=National Institute of Justice Research in Brief |issue=NCJ 173405 |date=March 1999 }}</ref>{{rp|1–2}}
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The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly called the federal ] (AWB and AWB 1994), was enacted in September 1994. The ban, including a ban on high-capacity magazines, became defunct (expired) in September 2004 per a 10-year ]. The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly called the federal ] (AWB and AWB 1994), was enacted in September 1994. The ban, including a ban on high-capacity magazines, became defunct (expired) in September 2004 per a 10-year ].


===State assault weapon bans=== ==State assault weapon bans==
{{See also|Gun laws in the United States by state}} {{See also|Gun laws in the United States by state}}
Three U.S. states passed assault weapons bans before Congress passed the federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994: California in 1989, New Jersey in 1990, and Connecticut in 1993. Four others passed assault weapons bans before AWB 1994 expired in 2004: Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York. Three U.S. states passed assault weapons bans before Congress passed the federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994: California in 1989, New Jersey in 1990, and Connecticut in 1993. Four others passed assault weapons bans before AWB 1994 expired in 2004: Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.


====California==== ===California===
{{Main|Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989}} {{Main|Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989}}
In May 1989, ] became the first state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban, after the January 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton.<ref name=Ingram890519>{{cite news |last=Ingram |first=Carl |date=May 19, 1989 |title=Assault Gun Ban Wins Final Vote : Deukmejian's Promised Approval Would Make It 1st Such U.S. Law |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-19/news/mn-112_1_assault-weapons-ban-military-style-assault-types-of-semiautomatic-rifles |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref> In May 1989, ] became the first state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban, after the January 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton.<ref name=Ingram890519>{{cite news |last=Ingram |first=Carl |date=May 19, 1989 |title=Assault Gun Ban Wins Final Vote : Deukmejian's Promised Approval Would Make It 1st Such U.S. Law |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-19/news/mn-112_1_assault-weapons-ban-military-style-assault-types-of-semiautomatic-rifles |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref>
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The Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, or AWCA, banned ]s that it classified as ]: over 50 specific brands and models of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. It also banned ] that it classified as ] (those able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition). Guns and magazines legally owned at the time the law was passed were grandfathered in if registered with the California Department of Justice.<ref name=AWGuide2000>{{cite web |url=http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/firearms/forms/awguide.pdf |title=Assault Weapons Identification Guide 2000 |author=Office of the Attorney General |date=November 2001 |website=oag.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Justice |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name=CFL2007>{{cite web |url=http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf |title=California Firearms Laws 2007 |author=Attorney General |date=June 8, 2012 |website=ag.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Justice |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref> The Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, or AWCA, banned ]s that it classified as ]: over 50 specific brands and models of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. It also banned ] that it classified as ] (those able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition). Guns and magazines legally owned at the time the law was passed were grandfathered in if registered with the California Department of Justice.<ref name=AWGuide2000>{{cite web |url=http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/firearms/forms/awguide.pdf |title=Assault Weapons Identification Guide 2000 |author=Office of the Attorney General |date=November 2001 |website=oag.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Justice |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name=CFL2007>{{cite web |url=http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf |title=California Firearms Laws 2007 |author=Attorney General |date=June 8, 2012 |website=ag.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Justice |accessdate=April 21, 2014}}</ref>


====Connecticut==== ===Connecticut===
{{See also|Gun laws in Connecticut}} {{See also|Gun laws in Connecticut}}
In June 1993, Connecticut became the third U.S. state, after California and New Jersey, to pass an assault weapons ban.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kirk |date=June 9, 1993 |title=Weicker Signs Bill to Forbid Assault Rifles |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/09/nyregion/weicker-signs-bill-to-forbid-assault-rifles.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref> In June 1993, Connecticut became the third U.S. state, after California and New Jersey, to pass an assault weapons ban.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kirk |date=June 9, 1993 |title=Weicker Signs Bill to Forbid Assault Rifles |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/09/nyregion/weicker-signs-bill-to-forbid-assault-rifles.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref>


====Hawaii==== ===Hawaii===
Hawaii was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916>{{cite journal |last=Koerner |first=Brendan |date=September 16, 2004 |title=What Is an Assault Weapon? At last, you can get a semiautomatic rifle with a bayonet. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2004/09/what_is_an_assault_weapon.html |journal=Slate |location= |publisher=The Slate Group |accessdate= }}</ref> Hawaii was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916>{{cite journal |last=Koerner |first=Brendan |date=September 16, 2004 |title=What Is an Assault Weapon? At last, you can get a semiautomatic rifle with a bayonet. |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2004/09/what_is_an_assault_weapon.html |journal=Slate |location= |publisher=The Slate Group |accessdate= }}</ref>


====Maryland==== ===Maryland===
Maryland was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/> Maryland was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/>


====Massachusetts==== ===Massachusetts===
Massachusetts was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/> Massachusetts was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/>


====New Jersey==== ===New Jersey===
{{See also|Gun laws in New Jersey}} {{See also|Gun laws in New Jersey}}
In May 1990, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban.<ref name=DePalma900518>{{cite news |last=DePalma |first=Anthony |date=May 18, 1990 |title=New Jersey Votes the Strictest Law In the Nation on Assault Weapons |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/18/nyregion/new-jersey-votes-the-strictest-law-in-the-nation-on-assault-weapons.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref> ] platform, ]s are illegal in New Jersey, and owning and publicly carrying other guns require separate licensing processes.<ref name=Record120721>{{cite news |last1=Linhorst |first1=Michael |last2=Connor |first2=Erinn |last3=Fujimori |first3=Sachi |date=July 21, 2012 |title=N.J. law bans assault rifles, restricts other weapons - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-law-bans-assault-rifles-restricts-other-weapons-1.391273#sthash.lxDeg6oH.dpuf |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-law-bans-assault-rifles-restricts-other-weapons-1.391273 |newspaper=The Record |location= |publisher=North Jersey Media Group |accessdate=April 21, 2014 }}</ref> In May 1990, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban.<ref name=DePalma900518>{{cite news |last=DePalma |first=Anthony |date=May 18, 1990 |title=New Jersey Votes the Strictest Law In the Nation on Assault Weapons |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/18/nyregion/new-jersey-votes-the-strictest-law-in-the-nation-on-assault-weapons.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |publisher= |accessdate=April 20, 2014 }}</ref> ] platform, ]s are illegal in New Jersey, and owning and publicly carrying other guns require separate licensing processes.<ref name=Record120721>{{cite news |last1=Linhorst |first1=Michael |last2=Connor |first2=Erinn |last3=Fujimori |first3=Sachi |date=July 21, 2012 |title=N.J. law bans assault rifles, restricts other weapons - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-law-bans-assault-rifles-restricts-other-weapons-1.391273#sthash.lxDeg6oH.dpuf |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-law-bans-assault-rifles-restricts-other-weapons-1.391273 |newspaper=The Record |location= |publisher=North Jersey Media Group |accessdate=April 21, 2014 }}</ref>
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Although it is commonly referred to as an assault weapons ban, New Jersey's law actually uses the term "assault firearm" to define banned and regulated guns. Some New Jersey gun advocates have called its laws "draconian." Attorney Evan Nappen, author of several books on New Jersey gun laws, says the term is "misapplied and carries with it a pejorative meaning."<ref name=Record120721/> Although it is commonly referred to as an assault weapons ban, New Jersey's law actually uses the term "assault firearm" to define banned and regulated guns. Some New Jersey gun advocates have called its laws "draconian." Attorney Evan Nappen, author of several books on New Jersey gun laws, says the term is "misapplied and carries with it a pejorative meaning."<ref name=Record120721/>


====New York==== ===New York===
New York was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/> New York was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.<ref name=Koerner040916/>


===Local bans=== ==Local bans==
Some local governments have laws that ban or restrict the possession of assault weapons. Some local governments have laws that ban or restrict the possession of assault weapons.


====District of Columbia==== ===District of Columbia===
A ] law banning the possession of assault weapons was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2011.<ref>Duggan, Paul (October 4, 2011). , ''Washington Post''. Retrieved May 24, 2014.</ref> A ] law banning the possession of assault weapons was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2011.<ref>Duggan, Paul (October 4, 2011). , ''Washington Post''. Retrieved May 24, 2014.</ref>


====Illinois==== ===Illinois===
The law that set up Illinois' concealed carry system in 2013 also established state preemption for certain areas of gun law, including restrictions on assault weapons. Laws passed before July 20, 2013 are ] in, and a number of local governments in the Chicago area have laws that either prohibit or regulate the possession of firearms that they define as assault weapons.<ref>McCoppin, Robert (July 21, 2013). , ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved May 18, 2014.</ref> These include the city of ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://directives.chicagopolice.org/directives-mobile/data/a7a57bf0-12dc41eb-af712-dc46-923815c7c3b2a231.html |title=City of Chicago Regulation Defining “Assault Weapon” |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2013 |website=chicagopolice.org |publisher=Chicago Police Department |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.municode.com/HTML/13805/level4/PTIGEOR_CH54LIPEMIBURE_ARTIIIDEWEDE_DIV4BLHOASWEBA.html |title=Division 4. Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2013 |website=municode.com |publisher=Municipal Code Corporation |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref> The law that set up Illinois' concealed carry system in 2013 also established state preemption for certain areas of gun law, including restrictions on assault weapons. Laws passed before July 20, 2013 are ] in, and a number of local governments in the Chicago area have laws that either prohibit or regulate the possession of firearms that they define as assault weapons.<ref>McCoppin, Robert (July 21, 2013). , ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved May 18, 2014.</ref> These include the city of ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://directives.chicagopolice.org/directives-mobile/data/a7a57bf0-12dc41eb-af712-dc46-923815c7c3b2a231.html |title=City of Chicago Regulation Defining “Assault Weapon” |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2013 |website=chicagopolice.org |publisher=Chicago Police Department |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.municode.com/HTML/13805/level4/PTIGEOR_CH54LIPEMIBURE_ARTIIIDEWEDE_DIV4BLHOASWEBA.html |title=Division 4. Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2013 |website=municode.com |publisher=Municipal Code Corporation |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>


====Indiana==== ===Indiana===
In March 1989 the Northwest Indiana cities of ] and ] city councils passed ordinances prohibiting both sale and possession of assault weapons. Gary City Councilman ] (D-4th) sponsored the ordinance making it a crime to possess or sell assault-type weapons. <ref name=1990PostTrib>{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Assault Weapon Sales Recoil Gary, East Chicago Outlawed Them; None Turned In to Police|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-10852F5F4AD9C3E0.html|accessdate=19 May 2014|newspaper=Post-Tribune (IN) {{Subscription required|via=]}}|date=January 15, 1990}}</ref> In March 1989 the Northwest Indiana cities of ] and ] city councils passed ordinances prohibiting both sale and possession of assault weapons. Gary City Councilman ] (D-4th) sponsored the ordinance making it a crime to possess or sell assault-type weapons. <ref name=1990PostTrib>{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Assault Weapon Sales Recoil Gary, East Chicago Outlawed Them; None Turned In to Police|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-10852F5F4AD9C3E0.html|accessdate=19 May 2014|newspaper=Post-Tribune (IN) {{Subscription required|via=]}}|date=January 15, 1990}}</ref>


====Massachusetts==== ===Massachusetts===
] has a law prohibiting the possession or transfer of assault weapons without a license from the Boston Police Commissioner.<ref>, NRA-ILA. Retrieved May 23, 2014.</ref> ] has a law prohibiting the possession or transfer of assault weapons without a license from the Boston Police Commissioner.<ref>, NRA-ILA. Retrieved May 23, 2014.</ref>


Revision as of 22:47, 18 July 2014

An assault weapons ban is a form of gun control in the United States that restricts firearms based largely on cosmetic appearances. Seven U.S. states have assault weapons bans. The federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 (AWB 1994) expired in 2004 and is now defunct.

The 1994 federal ban and first state ban, in California, were prompted by the Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton, California, in January 1989. Existing and proposed weapon bans come under scrutiny in the wake of mass shootings, most recently after the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Federal Assault Weapons Ban

Main article: Federal Assault Weapons Ban

In January 1989, 34 children and a teacher were shot in Stockton, Calif., using a semi-automatic replica of an AK-47 assault rifle. Five children died. President George H.W. Bush banned the import of semiautomatic rifles in March 1989, and made the ban permanent in July. The assault weapons ban tried to address public concern about mass shootings while limiting the impact on recreational firearms use.

In November 1993, the ban passed the U.S. Senate, although its author, Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, and other advocates said that it was a weakened version of the original proposal. In January 1994, Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, said handguns and assault weapons should be banned. In May of that year, former presidents Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, wrote to the U.S. House of Representatives in support of banning "semi-automatic assault guns." They cited a 1993 CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll that found 77 percent of Americans supported a ban on the manufacture, sale, and possession of such weapons. Rep. Jack Brooks, D-TX, then chair of the House Judiciary Committee, tried to remove the ban from the crime bill but failed.

The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly called the federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB and AWB 1994), was enacted in September 1994. The ban, including a ban on high-capacity magazines, became defunct (expired) in September 2004 per a 10-year sunset provision.

State assault weapon bans

See also: Gun laws in the United States by state

Three U.S. states passed assault weapons bans before Congress passed the federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994: California in 1989, New Jersey in 1990, and Connecticut in 1993. Four others passed assault weapons bans before AWB 1994 expired in 2004: Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.

California

Main article: Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989

In May 1989, California became the first state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban, after the January 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton.

The Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, or AWCA, banned semi-automatic firearms that it classified as assault weapons: over 50 specific brands and models of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. It also banned magazines that it classified as large capacity magazines (those able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition). Guns and magazines legally owned at the time the law was passed were grandfathered in if registered with the California Department of Justice.

Connecticut

See also: Gun laws in Connecticut

In June 1993, Connecticut became the third U.S. state, after California and New Jersey, to pass an assault weapons ban.

Hawaii

Hawaii was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

Maryland

Maryland was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

New Jersey

See also: Gun laws in New Jersey

In May 1990, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to pass an assault weapons ban. AR-15 platform, semi-automatic rifles are illegal in New Jersey, and owning and publicly carrying other guns require separate licensing processes.

Although it is commonly referred to as an assault weapons ban, New Jersey's law actually uses the term "assault firearm" to define banned and regulated guns. Some New Jersey gun advocates have called its laws "draconian." Attorney Evan Nappen, author of several books on New Jersey gun laws, says the term is "misapplied and carries with it a pejorative meaning."

New York

New York was one of seven U.S. states to have an assault weapons ban in place prior to the September 2004 sunset of the now defunct federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

Local bans

Some local governments have laws that ban or restrict the possession of assault weapons.

District of Columbia

A Washington, D.C. law banning the possession of assault weapons was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2011.

Illinois

The law that set up Illinois' concealed carry system in 2013 also established state preemption for certain areas of gun law, including restrictions on assault weapons. Laws passed before July 20, 2013 are grandfathered in, and a number of local governments in the Chicago area have laws that either prohibit or regulate the possession of firearms that they define as assault weapons. These include the city of Chicago and Cook County.

Indiana

In March 1989 the Northwest Indiana cities of Gary and East Chicago city councils passed ordinances prohibiting both sale and possession of assault weapons. Gary City Councilman Vernon G. Smith (D-4th) sponsored the ordinance making it a crime to possess or sell assault-type weapons.

Massachusetts

Boston has a law prohibiting the possession or transfer of assault weapons without a license from the Boston Police Commissioner.

References

  1. Staff, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (1 January 2014). Britannica Book of the Year 2014. Encyclopaedia Britannica. p. 335. ISBN 978-1-62513-171-3. The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban placed limits on the sale of semiautomatic weapons from any source. Because the military-style features were in part cosmetic, manufacturers of the weapons could alter their appearance to comply{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Wilson, Harry L. (2007). Guns, Gun Control, and Elections: The Politics and Policy of Firearms. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7425-5348-4. The ATF standard, however, foccused on appearance rather than function
  3. "Senate restricts assault weapon imports, production". The Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. May 23, 1990. p. A13.
  4. Pazniokas, Mark (December 20, 1993). "One Gun's Journey Into A Crime". The Courant. Hartford, CT.
  5. Roth, Jeffrey A.; Koper, Christopher S. (1997). "Impact Evaluation of the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Mohr, Charles (March 15, 1989). "U.S. BANS IMPORTS OF ASSAULT RIFLES IN SHIFT BY BUSH". The New York Times.
  7. Rasky, Susan F. (July 8, 1989). "Import Ban on Assault Rifles Becomes Permanent". The New York Times.
  8. Roth, Jeffrey A.; Christopher S. Koper (March 1999). "Impacts of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban" (PDF). National Institute of Justice Research in Brief (NCJ 173405).
  9. Bunting, Glenn F. (November 9, 1993). "Feinstein Faces Fight for Diluted Gun Bill". Los Angeles Times.
  10. Sugarmann, Josh (January 1994). "Reverse FIRE: The Brady Bill won't break the sick hold guns have on America. It's time for tougher measures". Mother Jones. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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  20. Duggan, Paul (October 4, 2011). "Federal Appeals Court Panel Rules in Favor of D.C. Gun Law", Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
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