McCollum Joins Democratic Colleagues to Introduce Assault Weapons Ban

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), and more than 150 House Democrats to introduce legislation to ban assault weapons and take dangerous weapons of war off Americans streets. McCollum is an original co-sponsor of the bill.

“Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines were designed to inflict maximum carnage on the battlefield. They do not belong in our communities,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “It is time for Congress to say enough is enough and act to keep our children and families safe by banning assault weapons.”

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2018 prohibits 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; and
• 205 specifically-named and listed firearms.

Assault weapons have become the weapon of choice for mass shooters. They were used in the recent attacks on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida and the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, as well as the mass murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. and a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado.

“The survivors of the Parkland school shooting have courageously come forward and demanded that Congress act to ensure a tragedy like that never happens again. It is time for Congressional Republicans to show some courage of their own, stand up to the gun lobby, and save lives by banning assault weapons,” Congresswoman McCollum said.