A 10-year federal ban on assault weapons expired Monday making it legal for consumers to purchase AK-47s, the same rifle that is being used to fight against U.S. forces in Iraq, and other high-powered firearms in America.
Ten years ago President Clinton passed “The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994″, which outlawed 19 types of military rifles. The bill was written to expire unless Congress moved to reauthorize it, which it failed to do.
“I am deeply troubled by the unwillingness of President Bush to rally Republican congressional members to extend one of the nation’s most important public safety laws,” California’s Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a statement. “The federal ban on these weapons of war has resulted in a drop in the number of assault weapons used in crimes and it has kept our law enforcement officers from being out-gunned by hardened criminals and gang members.
California in 1989 became the first state in the nation to enact an assault weapons ban. Sen. Dianne Feinstein succeeded in getting a similar federal law enacted in 1994. Under California law, a weapon that has at least one military-style characteristic, such as the ability to accept large-capacity magazines, or having a short pistol grip, collapsible or folding stock, flash suppressor, is deemed an assault weapon. The federal ban required two characteristics.
Lockyer added: “Our law, which is stronger than its federal counterpart, will remain firmly in place for the protection of all Californians. But without the federal prohibition on the manufacture, sale and possession of these killing machines, these weapons will become more accessible to those willing to smuggle them into our state.
Since July 1, 2002, the California Department of Justice has seized 1,020 illegal assault weapons as part of California’s Attorney General’s Armed and Prohibited Persons program.
“Despite the fact that every major law enforcement agency in the nation supported a national ban, President Bush has reneged on his campaign promise to support extending the ban,” Lockyer said. “By not aggressively living up to his word, the President has placed the political agenda of National Rifle Association before public safety.”.
{ 14 comments }
i think it is stuped that anyone can buy assault wepons. and cops only have pistals
Well, frankly, The stupid schmucks have been smuggle’n the wepons into the country and in just about any state that they want, so I don’t think that lifting the ban is going to make to much of a diffrence. There might be more, but they found 1020 already with the ban still in place. And cops aren’t just standing around with potato-guns… they have shotguns and other wepons. Not to mention SWAT.
I shoot guns for fun because it is enjoyable and a responsible person has no trouble using them safely. You can commit a violent crime with anything, and a sane person just wouldnt, no matter what they had to do it with. Guns allow the sane people to protect themselves, and, im not going to lie, i cant wait to get an ak 47 myself.
people above should learn to edit.
No point in having a gun that can fire 30 rounds. You’ll scare the deer after the 1st round.
Ok let us think for a minute when is the last time you have seen a gun pick its self up and pull its own triger. The gun ban just keeps non law brakers from geting the guns not the people who would use it on you. I have owend legaly preban assault weapons such as a pre ban ar15 i did not kill or still with it so werry about the people not the gun
this story made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and should get a noble peice prize for having peace
I think it’s very bad that I am “sterotyped” as a killer when I walk into A gun store wanting the biggest gun there. We can all play with guns and have fun with them if we all play nice.
I want my police officers to be better equipped than the nut jobs out there who shoot up schools, banks, and neighborhoods. If no one has assault weapons then they can’t be used to harm others. Further more, if you want to match the military power why not park a tank in your front yard next to the case full of weapons grade plutonium and your AK 47?? Would you like a small nuclear weapon to go with it?? Where do we draw the line? You may think thats an over exaggeration but in my eyes an AK 47 is no different than any of the other weapons above there ONLY purpose is to kill other PEOPLE.
The ban on assault weapons is a joke, the only people it prevents from having the weapons are law abiding consumers. Its the criminals who use these weapons to commit violent crimes. Do you really belive laws will prevent criminals from obtaining these weapons and using them?
Sean Glover,
Cops don’t just have pistols shitstick, they have shotguns in their patrol cars and m16s in storage.
Have you listened to anything anybody said? Cops DON’T only have pistols, and people should learn to spell correctly.
The people of the United States have a god given right to own any type of firearm they want. Anyone who thinks guns should be banned should get the hell out of the United States and move to Great Britain. The reason we have firearms is to protect our Country from an oppressive government. Therefore we should have the same firearms our military has, in case things get out of control.
Most shooting victims are less than 10 feet away from the shooter. And any smart criminal would much rather have a pistol for its concelibility. So go find something else to complain about you liberal pussies.
Im going to go polish my pre-ban Mak-90.
can I buy a AK 47 in the state of California now that the ban on asualt rifles has expired
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