From 1994 until it lapsed in 2004, assault weapons (mainly semi-automatic versions of military assault rifles) were banned for sale under the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Due to modifications, accessories, magazine size, small profile, and fast fire rate, these weapons exist for only one reason: to kill as many people as possible in a short period, with little credible use for hunting or home defense, and have been used in mass shootings across the U.S. During the ban, firearms-related deaths fell steeply. After it lapsed, deaths increased.
It's time to re-instate this commonsense legislation to prevent mass shootings by gangs, terrorists, and other criminals, and, unlike the original ban, also include a ban on selling used assault weapons.