Has the federal assault weapons ban amade a difference in crime rates?
The federal assault weapons ban was adopted in 1994, was allowed to sunset in 2004. Congress and the President didn’t push for the renewal at that time. We felt that the assault weapon ban, during the 10 years it was in effect, did make a difference. It could have been stronger, it was too easy to find loopholes in it and get around it. Anecdotally, we’ve heard from communities across the country that they saw a decrease in violence because of the assault weapons ban and they’ve seen an increase since the ban expired. Again, when congress doesn’t give you the information on what types of guns are being used, it’s hard to make that case. It’s really a brilliant strategy on the other side. Hide the data. Hide the information. It’s hard to make a case pertaining to having something else being done.
