Following More Mass Shootings Democrats Introduce Assault Weapons Ban

Two proposals aimed at curbing the spread of assault rifles were submitted Jan. 24 by Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California, and Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both of Connecticut.

The Assault Weapons Ban seeks to prohibit the commercialization, distribution, production and importation of assault rifles and other firearms designed for use in military operations, as well as high-capacity magazines and similar devices.

On Jan. 22, a gunman opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California, killing 11 and wounding 9.

The Democrats’ proposed Age 21 Act would make it illegal to sell or buy an assault weapon to anybody under 21, bringing it in line with the legal age for purchasing handguns.

President Joe Biden has publicly stated his support for the legislation.

Biden said that the number of mass shootings declined during the decade that the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect.

“In the 10 years that the Assault Weapons Ban was on the books, mass shootings went down,” Biden remarked.

“After Republicans let the law expire in 2004 and those weapons were allowed to be sold again, mass shootings tripled,” he declared.

Both houses of Congress were urged to take quick action by the president.

According to Biden, “the majority of American people agree with this rational measure.” WI