Center for American Progress

Ban Assault Weapons in Our Communities

Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have repeatedly been used to commit some of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. These weapons of war continue to contribute to the daily toll of gun violence in communities around the country.

While several states have laws banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, these efforts are undermined by the lack of a strong federal law. In 1994, Congress enacted a federal ban on these weapons as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act but allowed that provision to expire in 2004. Since then, thousands of people have been killed in shootings across the nation.

Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have no place in civilian society. Tell Congress to act immediately to keep these dangerous weapons out of U.S. communities.

Dear {contact_data~Salutation~Congressperson},

I am writing today as your constituent to urge you to make our communities safer by banning weapons of war.

In 2004, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act expired, lifting a federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. Since then, thousands of people have been killed in shootings across the nation. We’re talking about children at school, older adults at the grocery store, moviegoers, concertgoers, and so many more.

How many more must die before lawmakers put thoughts and prayers into action?

The use of an assault weapon equipped with a high-capacity magazine increases the likelihood that a particular shooting will have a high death and injury count [https://www.americanprogress.org/article/assault-weapons-high-capacity-magazines-must-banned/]. These are war weapons that have no place in our communities.

During the 10-year period that the federal ban was in effect, mass shooting fatalities were 70 percent less likely [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30188421/] to occur than either before or after the ban. We can save lives by reinstating a federal law that bans the manufacture, sale, and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Your action on the Hill can save lives. I urge you to move swiftly to take meaningful action to make all of our communities safe from gun violence.

Sincerely,

{user_data~Offered First Name~Your constituent}

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