McCarthy Re-introduces Assault Weapons Ban

(WASHINGTON) Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4) introduced HR 1312, a bill reauthorizing the federal ban on assault weapons, which expired on September 13, 2004.

“Following the General Accounting Office’s Report indicating that suspected terrorists are purchasing firearms, the federal ban on assault weapons is needed now more than ever,” said McCarthy. “It makes no sense that the very people we are fighting in the War on Terror are allowed to arm themselves with military style assault weapons right here within our borders.”

Last September, Congressional Leadership refused to bring the ban’s reauthorization up for a floor vote despite the overwhelming support of the American people, the endorsement of President George W. Bush, and the backing of nearly every law enforcement agency in the United States.

Polls indicated two-thirds of Americans and 57% of gun owners approved of reauthorizing the ban.

“As always, the American people are on the side of common sense,” said McCarthy. “There is no lawful reason for an individual to own an AK-47, Tec-9, or other personal weapon of mass destruction.”

Rep. McCarthy had led a quiet life as a nurse, mother and housewife until she was thrust into the spotlight on December 7,1993. On that day, her husband was killed and her son injured when a crazed gunman randomly shot into a rush hour commuter train returning from New York City to Long Island. Rather than allow this tragedy to defeat her, McCarthy turned the incident into a public campaign against gun violence. Since taking office in 1997, McCarthy has worked on a bipartisan basis to eliminate gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer.

The assault weapons ban was endorsed last year by the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, National Association of Police Organizations, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, Academy of Medical/Surgical Nurses, American Academy of Pediatrics, Urban League, National Education Association, United Federation of Teachers, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund, NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, among many other organizations.

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