NCJ Number
158082
Journal
University of Dayton Law Review Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1995) Pages: 641-651
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article argues that the 1994 Federal Crime Bill was a positive step toward eliminating assault weapons violence in the United States.
Abstract
By including a set of criteria to prohibit new or copycat assault weapons, the 1994 Federal Crime Bill improved previous gun-control legislation. For instance, the Tec-9 assault pistol and similar models now produced by the Intratec Corporation are included in the list of banned weapons. This weapon, along with the M-11, was among the 10 guns traced most often in crime from 1991 through early 1994, according to a study recently conducted by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. This article lists the specific gun models that are prohibited by this legislation and outlines the characteristics of prohibited guns. Provisions for dealer licensing are also reviewed, along with the provision that makes it illegal for children under 18 years old to own or possess a handgun and for anyone to transfer a handgun to a juvenile; exemptions are allowed for certain supervised situations. After describing some incidents of violence perpetrated by users of assault weapons, the author discusses the history of the politics behind the debate and passage of the assault weapons ban. The costs of assault weapons injuries are also identified. The author concludes that although assault weapons currently account for only a fraction of gun violence in the United States, there is no reason to wait until the problem worsens to take preventive legislative action. 24 footnotes