Privacy Notice
Rate
of Banned Assault Weapons Used in Crime Down by
Nearly Two-thirds Since Passage of 1994 Law
Senators Feinstein and Schumer
Also Announce Broad Coalition
in Support of Renewing the Assault Weapons Ban
See
Graph:
Reduction
of Banned Assault Weapons Recovered in Crimes
November 5
|
The
newly released data, obtained by Senator Feinstein from the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, is the first to show
the long-term impact of the 1994 law, sponsored by Senator Feinstein. The
law banned the manufacture of 19 specific military style assault
weapons, including the civilian versions of the Uzi and Mac-10 and
also banned the manufacture of copycat weapons. “This
data shows clearly that the assault weapons ban is working,” Senator
Feinstein said. “From the
moment the law went into effect there has been a steady and dramatic
decline in the number of banned weapons turning up in crimes. Based
on this evidence, it is clear to me that the assault weapons ban
needs to be reauthorized so that we can continue to keep these military-style
weapons off the street.” "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Senator Schumer said.
"To let the assault weapons ban expire just as we are realizing its
benefits would be a major setback in the success we've had in reducing
crime over the last decade. The fact of the matter is that there
is no legitimate use for these weapons. That was as true in 1994
as it is today. The bottom line is that the assault weapons ban
is working and we are safer because of it." In
1995, the first year that the ban went into effect, assault weapons
represented 3.57 percent of all crime guns recovered from crimes.
By 2002, assault weapons represented only 1.22 percent of the number
of guns used in crimes. If
Congress does not take action, the ban will expire on Senators
Feinstein and Schumer also unveiled a broad coalition of supporters
to back the reauthorization of the ban that is set to expire in
September 2004. Coalition members include police organizations,
more than 100 mayors, teachers unions, religious groups, county
officials, and several major gun safety advocacy organizations. “This
coalition demonstrates broad-based support for the assault weapons
ban,” Feinstein said.
“It is a law which has worked and which reflects the values of the
American people.” "The broad support we've accumulated
for renewing the ban underscores the fact that people recognize
that this law hasn't resulted in a single law-abiding hunter losing
the right to hunt, or homeowner losing the power to defend his home,"
Senator Schumer said. "In fact, it shows that the Second Amendment can thrive while we
take reasonable measures to protect Americans from gun violence." President
Bush has consistently indicated his support for reauthorization
of the current ban. The President has also made it clear
that he supports banning the importation of high capacity ammunition
clips. The
data obtained from the Department of Justice shows a steady decline
of criminal firearm traces in which the 19 banned assault weapons
were used. Assault weapons were nearly three times as likely to
be recovered in a crime in 1995 than last year. Year
Percentage
1995
3.57%
1 1997 2.02% 1998 1.80% 1999 1.91% 2000 1.59% 2001 1.30% 2002 1.22% (Source:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives)
Coalition
members in support of reauthorizing the assault weapons ban include: Americans
for Gun Safety (Partial
List) ### |
