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{{USgunlegalbox}}
'''Assault weapons legislation in the United States''' refers to ]s and ]s (active, expired, proposed or failed) that define and restrict or make illegal the manufacture, transfer, and possession of ]s. How these firearms are defined and regulated varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In general, there is no clear definition of an "assault weapon."<ref name=Levs130113>{{cite news |last=Levs |first=Josh |date=January 31, 2013 |title=Loaded language poisons gun debate |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/31/politics/gun-language/index.html |publisher=Cable News Network |accessdate=April 27, 2014 }}</ref> Nonetheless, "assault weapons" are often considered to be ] firearms with a ], as first defined in a 1994 ] (AWB)."<ref name="Levs130113"/>

The Federal Assault Weapons Ban enacted in 1994 expired in 2004. Attempts to renew this ban have failed, as have attempts to pass a new ban, such as the ] (AWB 2013). Seven U.S. states have assault weapons bans: three were enacted before the 1994 federal ban and four more passed before the federal ban expired. The majority of states, forty-three, have no assault weapons ban, although two, ] and ], have training and background check requirements for purchasers of assault weapons that are more stringent than those for ordinary firearms. While there are no statewide assault weapon bans in ] and ], local bans exist in certain cities or counties in each of these states.

The 1994 federal and 1989 state ban in California were prompted by the 1989 ] in Stockton, California. Existing and proposed weapon bans come under renewed interest in the wake of ]s, most recently after the December 2012 ] in Newtown, Connecticut. In addition to state bans, ] and some U.S. counties and municipalities have assault weapons laws.

==Federal assault weapons bans==

===Expired Assault Weapons Ban of 1994===
{{Main article|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=https://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=https://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=https://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 November 1993, the ban passed the ], although its author, ], D-CA, and other advocates said that it was a weakened version of the original proposal.<ref name="Bunting 931109">{{cite news |title=Feinstein Faces Fight for Diluted Gun Bill |first=Glenn F. |last=Bunting |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-09/news/mn-54844_1_assault-weapon |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 9, 1993 }}</ref> In January 1994, ], executive director of the ], said handguns and assault weapons should be banned.<ref name="Sugarmann MotherJones9401">{{cite journal |last=Sugarmann |first=Josh |date=January 1994 |title=Reverse FIRE: The Brady Bill won't break the sick hold guns have on America. It's time for tougher measures. |publisher=Mother Jones |url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/1994/01/reverse-fire }}</ref> In May of that year, former presidents ], ], and ], wrote to the ] 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.<ref name="Eaton 940505">{{cite news |title=Ford, Carter, Reagan Push for Gun Ban |first=William J. |last=Eaton |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-05-05/news/mn-54185_1_assault-weapons-ban/2 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 5, 1994 }}</ref> Rep. ], D-TX, then chair of the House Judiciary Committee, tried to remove the ban from the crime bill but failed.<ref name="Seelye 940728">{{cite news |title=Assault Weapons Ban Allowed To Stay in Anti-crime Measure |first=Katharine Q. |last=Seelye |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/28/us/assault-weapons-ban-allowed-to-stay-in-anti-crime-measure.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 28, 1994 }}</ref>

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 ]s, became defunct (expired) in September 2004 per a 10-year ].

==Proposed federal assault weapons bans==

===Proposed Assault Weapons Ban of 2015===
The proposed bill H.R.4269, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015,<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4269</ref> was introduced on December 16 of 2015 to the 114th ], sponsored by Representative David N. Cicilline<ref>https://www.congress.gov/member/david-cicilline/C001084</ref> of ] along with 123 original co-sponsors,<ref name="congress.gov">https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4269/cosponsors</ref> it currently has 149 co-sponsors,<ref name="congress.gov"/> This legislation states that its purpose is "To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes."<ref name="ReferenceA">https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4269/text</ref>

The proposed legislation targets various firearm accessories, including the ] (a safety covering for the barrel of the firearm to prevent the operator from burning his or her hands as the barrel becomes heated after the firing of multiple rounds), ], and certain types of firearm ] such as telescoping or collapsing stocks.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Also included are lists of various classes and models of firearms, including ]s, ], ], ], ], and others, some of which have already been banned or restricted under existing legislation including ]s.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The legislation also proscribes ]s.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==State assault weapon bans==
<div class="tright">
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"
|-
|+U.S. assault weapons bans by jurisdiction
! scope="col"| Jurisdiction
! scope="col"| Status
! scope="col"| - By make/
model
! scope="col"| Semiauto
rifles
! scope="col"| Semiauto
pistols
! scope="col"| Shotguns
! scope="col"| Features
test
! scope="col"| Magazine
capacity
|-
! scope="row" | California<ref name="SGLAW-CA">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-california/ |title=Assault Weapons in California |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | Connecticut<ref name="SGLAW-CT">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-connecticut/ |title=Assault Weapons in Connecticut |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 8, 2013 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | District of Columbia<ref name="SGLAW-DC">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-washington-d-c/ |title=Assault Weapons in the District of Columbia |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | Hawaii<ref name="SGLAW-HI">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-hawaii/ |title=Assault Weapons in Hawaii |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
|
|
| {{X mark}}
|
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | Maryland<ref name="SGLAW-MD">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-maryland/ |title=Assault Weapons in Maryland |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | Massachusetts<ref name="SGLAW-MA">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-massachusetts/ |title=Assault Weapons in Massachusetts |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | New Jersey<ref name="SGLAW-NJ">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-new-jersey/ |title=Assault Weapons in New Jersey |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 1, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|-
! scope="row" | New York<ref name="SGLAW-NY">{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/assault-weapons-in-new-york/ |title=Assault Weapons in New York |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 1, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>
| In force
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
| {{X mark}}
|}
</div>
{{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===
{{See also|Gun laws in California}}

====1989====
{{Main article|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> 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 ] that it classified as large capacity (those able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition). Guns and magazines legally owned at the time the law was passed were ] 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>

====1999====
In March 1999, State Senator ] introduced ] (SB 23). The bill had three provisions: to make illegal the manufacture, importation, sale or offer, or to give or lend any large-capacity magazine as defined as having the capacity to accept more than ten rounds; the addition of a "generic" definition list to the existing Roberti-Roos legislation; and the exemption to allow on and off duty and retired peace officers the use of assault weapons.<ref name=1999SB23Text>{{cite web|last=Perata|title=Addition to Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989 – Enactment of Generic Assault Weapon Ban/Registration Requirements and Ban on Manufacture, Sale or Transfer of "Large-Capacity" Magazines|url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sb_23_cfa_19990323_171911_sen_comm.html|publisher=Senate Committee on Public Safety, Senator John Vasconcellos, Chair 1999-2000 Regular Session|accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref> They are defined in Penal Code §12276.1 and §30515.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/regagunfaqs#1 |title=What is considered an assault weapon under California law? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2014 |website=oag.ca.gov |publisher=California DOJ |accessdate=May 12, 2014 }}</ref> The bill was passed and went into effect on January 1, 2000.<ref name=OAGSB23>{{cite web|last=Staff|title=Senate Bill 23 Assault Weapon Characteristics|url=http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/regs/genchar2|publisher=California Attorney General|accessdate=24 May 2014}}</ref>

===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 name=Johnson930609>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kirk |date=June 9, 1993 |title=Weicker Signs Bill to Forbid Assault Rifles |url=https://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 April 2013, four months after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the ] passed new restrictions to the state's existing assault weapons ban.<ref name="NYT-AP130404">{{cite news |date=April 4, 2013 |title=Connecticut Governor Signs Gun Measures |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/nyregion/connecticut-lawmakers-pass-gun-limits.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=April 10, 2014 }}</ref> The law was challenged, but a federal judge upheld it and ruled it constitutional. Gun owners said they would appeal.<ref name=Pazniokas140130>{{cite news |last=Pazniokas |first=Mark |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Federal judge upholds Sandy Hook gun law |url=http://ctmirror.org/federal-judge-upholds-sandy-hook-gun-law/ |newspaper=Connecticut Mirror |location= |publisher=Connecticut News Project |accessdate=April 10, 2014 }}</ref>

Connecticut prohibits any person from possessing an assault weapon unless the weapon was possessed prior to July 1, 1994, and the possessor:
*Was eligible to apply for a certificate of possession for the assault weapon by July 1, 1994;
*Lawfully possessed the assault weapon prior to October 1, 1993; and
*Is not in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 53-202a to 53-202k (assault weapon regulations), and Connecticut General Statutes § 53-202o (affirmative defense in prosecution for possession of specified assault weapon). It also prohibits any person from distributing, transporting, importing into the state, keeping, offering or exposing for sale, or giving an assault weapon to any person.<ref name="SGLAW-CT"/>

Connecticut defines an "assault weapon" as:
*Any "selective-fire" firearm capable of fully automatic, semi-automatic or "burst fire" at the option of the user;
*Any semi-automatic centerfire rifle, regardless of the date produced, that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following features: 1) A folding or telescoping stock; 2) Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or other stock that would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of the weapon when firing; 3) A forward pistol grip; 4) A flash suppressor; or 5) A grenade or flare launcher;
*A semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following features: 1) The ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine that attaches at some location outside the pistol grip; 2) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward pistol grip or silencer; 3) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm without being burned (except a slide that encloses the barrel); or 4) A second hand grip;
*A semi-automatic shotgun that has both of the following features: 1) A folding or telescoping stock; or 2) Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of the weapon when firing;
*A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has: 1) a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition; or 2) an overall length of less than 30 inches;
*A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the ability to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
*A semiautomatic shotgun that can accept a detachable magazine; or
*A shotgun with a revolving cylinder.<ref name="SGLAW-CT"/>

Connecticut also bans listed makes and models of semiautomatic firearms and copies of those firearms. ]s and other exceptions apply, depending.<ref name="SGLAW-CT"/>

===Hawaii===
{{See also|Gun laws in Hawaii}}
Hawaiian law bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of what it defines as assault ]s. Hawaii defines an "assault pistol" as a semiautomatic handgun that accepts a detachable magazine and that has two or more of:
*An ammunition ] that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;
*A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash ], forward hand grip, or silencer;
*A ] that is attached to or partially or completely encircles the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the second hand without being burned;
*A manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded;
*A ] pistol with an overall length of 12 inches or more; or
*A semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm.<ref name="SGLAW-HI"/>
In tandem with the assault pistol ban is a law that bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of detachable ammunition magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds that are capable of use with a pistol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/large-capacity-ammunition-magazines-in-hawaii/ |title=Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Hawaii |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</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=April 27, 2014 }}</ref>

===Maryland===
{{See also|Gun laws in Maryland}}
Maryland law prohibits the possession, sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, or transportation into the state of assault weapons defined as assault pistols and assault long guns. Maryland's definition of an "assault long gun" includes a list of 45 specific firearms or their copies, with certain variations. Maryland's definition of an "assault pistol" includes a list of 15 specific firearms or their copies, with certain variations. Maryland also defines an assault weapon "copycat weapon" as:
*A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following: a folding stock; a grenade or flare launcher; or a flash suppressor;
*A semiauto centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds;
*A semiauto centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches;
*A semiauto pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;
*A semiauto shotgun that has a folding stock; or
*A shotgun with a revolving cylinder.<ref name="SGLAW-MD"/>
In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer of detachable magazines with capacities greater than 20 rounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/large-capacity-ammunition-magazines-in-maryland/ |title=Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Maryland |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>

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===
{{See also|Gun laws in Massachusetts}}
Massachusetts law bans the sale, transfer, or possession of assault weapons not otherwise lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Massachusetts defines "assault weapon" by the definition of "semiautomatic assault weapon" in the federal assault weapons ban of 1994. That definition included:
*A list of firearms by name and copies of those firearms;
*Semi-automatic rifles and pistols capable of accepting a detachable magazine and having at least two specified characteristics; and
*Semi-automatic shotguns having at least two specified characteristics.<ref name="SGLAW-MA"/>
In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the sale, transfer, or possession of a large capacity feeding device unless such device was lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. The definition of "large capacity feeding device" included: a fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition or more than 5 shotgun shells; or a large capacity ammunition feeding device as defined in the federal assault weapons ban of 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/large-capacity-ammunition-magazines-in-massachusetts/ |title=Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in Massachusetts |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>

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===
{{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, after California. At the time, it was the toughest assault weapons ban in the nation.<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=https://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> ] ]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 |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>

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===
{{See also|Gun laws in New York}}
New York law bans the manufacture, transport, disposal or possession of an assault weapon in the state. It defines an "assault weapon" as:
*A semi-automatic rifle or pistol able to accept a detachable magazine and that has at least one from a list of characteristics;
*A semi-automatic shotgun that has at least one from a list of characteristics; or
*A revolving cylinder shotgun.<ref name="SGLAW-NY"/>
In tandem with the assault weapons ban is a law that bans the manufacture, transport, disposal or possession of a "large capacity ammunition feeding device," defined as: "a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that: 1) has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition; 2) contains more than seven rounds of ammunition; or 3) is obtained after January 15, 2013 and has a capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept more than seven rounds of ammunition."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/large-capacity-ammunition-magazines-in-new-york/ |title=Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines in New York |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2, 2012 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |accessdate=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>

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

===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>

===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> On December 7, 2015, the ] refused to grant a ] to take up a challenge brought against a decision by the ] which had upheld a local law banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in the Chicago suburb of ].<ref name=Gass2015>{{cite news|last1=Gass|first1=Nick|title=Supreme Court won't hear assault weapons ban case|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/scotus-assault-weapons-ban-216485|accessdate=7 December 2015|work=Politico|date=December 7, 2015}}</ref> In refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court allowed the ruling to stand and the ban to remain in place.

===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> Both of these ordinances were invalidated under statewide pre-emption legislation enacted by the ] and signed into law by Governor ] in 2011.

===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>

==Public opinion==
Shortly after the ], a ] poll found that a majority of Americans (57%) supported a ban on assault weapons.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/news/orlando-nightclub-massacre-cbs-news-poll-assault-weapons-ban/</ref> ] noted a similarly high percentage of Americans thought that a ban would be an effective response to terrorism after the ] (55%), and in 2013 when the question was put in a referendum format ("Would you vote for or against a law that would reinstate and strengthen the ban on assault weapons that was in place from 1994 to 2004?") (56% support).<ref name="Newport2016">{{cite web|last1=Newport|first1=Frank|title=American Public Opinion, Terrorism and Guns|url=http://www.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/192695/american-public-opinion-terrorism-guns.aspx|publisher=]|accessdate=6 February 2017|date=13 June 2016}}</ref> But it noted that "Support for stricter gun control laws often rises after high-profile shooting incidents and then often subsides again," and that support for stricter gun controls, although still a majority view, had declined since the early 1990s.<ref name="Newport2016"/> By October of 2016, support for an assault weapons ban had fallen to an historical low of 36%.<ref name="Swift2016">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Art|title=In U.S., Support for Assault Weapons Ban at Record Low|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/196658/support-assault-weapons-ban-record-low.aspx|publisher=]|accessdate=6 February 2017|date=26 October 2016}}</ref>

==References==
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Revision as of 17:29, 12 October 2017