New proposed legislation seeks a ban on assault weapons

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Criminal Defense

The latest mass shooting to shock the United States into a wave of grieving was the catastrophic incident that happened on Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Florida. This sad mass murder was carried out by a lone gunman armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, which he used to murder 17 high school students.

As the media continues to rage, and communities continue to real, Democratic lawmakers introduced a newly minted gun control measure as a response. If it becomes federal law, the measure would ban individuals from owning the AR-15 assault rifle, among many other weapons that the law classifies as assault weapons.

Thus far, Republicans have strictly opposed the proposed law while Democrats are supporting it. Gun rights advocates oppose bill as well, while pointing out that the AR-15 should not be on the list of banned weapons because it is not a fully automatic rifle.

The law clearly states it will make it illegal for individuals "to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a semiautomatic assault weapon." The law also requires a public list of all assault weapons that criminals have used in carrying out their crimes.

It's too early to know whether the proposed bill will become law. However, it's vital that gun enthusiasts, gun owners -- and especially those in the market to purchase an assault weapon -- stay apprised of all new legal developments. Knowing and understanding gun laws will not only help citizens avoid getting in trouble, but will also assist in the navigation of their legal proceedings in the event that they unintentionally face weapons charges in court.

Source: Washington Post, "The two assault weapons bans before Congress are co-sponsored by 195 Democrats and 0 Republicans," Christopher Ingraham, Feb. 28, 2018