CSGV: Gephardt, Kucinich Lead Fight Against Assault Weapons
Press Release
Coalition To Stop Gun Violence
One year after DC-area sniper attacks, presidential candidates co-sponsor
H.R. 2038 to renew and strengthen assault weapon ban
Washington, DC - Congressmen Richard Gephardt (D-MO) and Dennis Kucinich
(D-OH) have co-sponsored H.R. 2038, a bill that will renew and strengthen
the federal assault weapons ban. Their support comes one year after the
DC-area sniper attacks, which killed 10 and wounded three others. The
legislation would stop the gun industry from manufacturing and marketing
all assault weapons, including the snipers' Bushmaster XM15 assault rifle.
Though other presidential candidates have stated their support for a
strengthened assault weapons ban, Reps. Gephardt and Kucinich are the only
two to co-sponsor such legislation. The current ban is set to expire
September 13, 2004 unless President Bush and Congress act.
"Congressmen Gephardt and Kucinich are leaders in the fight to rid
America's streets of military-style assault weapons once and for all,"
said Joshua Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun
Violence. "We hope that other candidates will follow suit and co-sponsor
tough and effective assault weapons ban legislation."
Why the Ban Needs To Be Strengthened
The 1994 ban outlaws specific models of military-style semiautomatic
assault weapons. But in a willful attempt to violate the spirit of the
law, the gun industry continues to manufacture "post-ban" assault
weapons - guns identical to those banned except for minor cosmetic
changes. The Bushmaster XM15 used in last fall's sniper attacks, for
example, is a "post-ban" version of the AR15 assault rifle, which is
banned under current law.
H.R. 2038 and S. 1431, its Senate companion, will not only renew the ban,
but also stop the gun industry from manufacturing "post-ban" assault
weapons such as the Bushmaster XM15.
Press Release
Coalition To Stop Gun Violence
One year after DC-area sniper attacks, presidential candidates co-sponsor
H.R. 2038 to renew and strengthen assault weapon ban
Washington, DC - Congressmen Richard Gephardt (D-MO) and Dennis Kucinich
(D-OH) have co-sponsored H.R. 2038, a bill that will renew and strengthen
the federal assault weapons ban. Their support comes one year after the
DC-area sniper attacks, which killed 10 and wounded three others. The
legislation would stop the gun industry from manufacturing and marketing
all assault weapons, including the snipers' Bushmaster XM15 assault rifle.
Though other presidential candidates have stated their support for a
strengthened assault weapons ban, Reps. Gephardt and Kucinich are the only
two to co-sponsor such legislation. The current ban is set to expire
September 13, 2004 unless President Bush and Congress act.
"Congressmen Gephardt and Kucinich are leaders in the fight to rid
America's streets of military-style assault weapons once and for all,"
said Joshua Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun
Violence. "We hope that other candidates will follow suit and co-sponsor
tough and effective assault weapons ban legislation."
Why the Ban Needs To Be Strengthened
The 1994 ban outlaws specific models of military-style semiautomatic
assault weapons. But in a willful attempt to violate the spirit of the
law, the gun industry continues to manufacture "post-ban" assault
weapons - guns identical to those banned except for minor cosmetic
changes. The Bushmaster XM15 used in last fall's sniper attacks, for
example, is a "post-ban" version of the AR15 assault rifle, which is
banned under current law.
H.R. 2038 and S. 1431, its Senate companion, will not only renew the ban,
but also stop the gun industry from manufacturing "post-ban" assault
weapons such as the Bushmaster XM15.