Banning assault weapons saves lives. The 1994 federal assault weapons ban, which lasted until 2004, reduced the risk of a person in the U.S. dying from a mass shooting by 70%. Both the number of deaths and the number of annual incidents decreased significantly.
Campaign Action
Time and time again, assault weapons are used in the deadliest mass shootings in America. Between 2009 and 2018, assault weapons accounted for 25% of deaths and 76% of nonfatal injuries in mass shootings.
These guns are uniquely lethal, allowing for the most murders in the shortest amount of time. They are weapons of war and have no place on our streets.
Congress must act responsibly and enact a federal assault weapons ban. But as we all know, attempts to do so have failed repeatedly, thanks to the Senate filibuster—even on watered-down legislation with 90% public support.
That’s no excuse. We must continue to build up support for common-sense legislation, and make politicians understand the real consequences of their failure.
In the meantime, state legislatures must step in with bans in their states. Washington and Illinois have already initiated such measures. Other states must follow suit.
Other countries have taken decisive action to ban assault rifles and have seen drastic reductions in gun violence. The United States MUST do the same.
Sign the petition: Ban assault weapons.