WPRO News
Congressman David N. Cicilline (D) along with 121 co-sponsors introduced the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 to “prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of new military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines that have become the firearm of choice for many mass shooters in the United States” on Wednesday afternoon.
“Since 2011, the frequency of mass shootings has increased by a factor of three. And according to one study, more than half of all mass shooters used an assault weapon, a gun with a military-style feature, or a high-capacity magazine. The sole purpose of these types of weapons is to kill as many people as quickly as possible,” said Cicilline. “It is unconscionable that we continue to allow military-style weapons to be bought and sold while mass shootings are growing more common. This bill is an important first step that will restore some sanity to the way we treat guns in the United States.”
“Congressman Cicilline’s leadership on the issue of gun violence prevention in our communities has been relentless,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “As we push to expand and strengthen background checks and close the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to buy guns, it is essential that we keep assault weapons out of the hands of those who should not have them.”
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 will prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a military-style feature that can accept a detachable magazine, semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds, semi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature, any ammunition feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds, along with 157 specifically-named and listed firearms.
Under the proposed Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, the background check period is extended to 14 days for the sale or transfer of an existing assault weapon. If it is determined that a gun was sold to a prohibited individual, the FBI will be required to notify federal, state, and local law enforcement so the weapon can be retrieved as quickly as possible and the buyer can be held accountable for violating federal law.
