Washington—The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (S. 150) by a vote of 10-8. The legislation, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), bans dangerous military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of holding more than 10 rounds. The legislation includes a bipartisan amendment that Senator Feinstein supported to study the effects of other factors on the recent proliferation of mass shootings in America.

“Today’s vote was an important step for this bill, which over time will dry up the supply of deadly military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines,” Feinstein said. “Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines have a single purpose—to kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. These weapons are being used by grievance killers, the mentally unstable and others to kill significant numbers of people in our malls, our theaters, our workplaces and our schools. The bill is also strongly supported by police officers, who increasingly find themselves outgunned. It’s time we step up and address this scourge once and for all.”

Key provisions in the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013:

• Prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 157 currently-available military-style assault weapons;
• Bans all other assault weapons that can accept a detachable ammunition magazine and have one or more military characteristics;
• Bans large-capacity magazines and other ammunition feeding devices that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
• Prohibits the sale or transfer of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices currently in existence;
• Requires background checks on all future transfers of assault weapons covered by the legislation, including by sale, trade or gift;
• Exempts from the ban all assault weapons lawfully possessed at the date of enactment;
• Excludes more than 2,200 legitimate hunting and sporting rifles by specific make and model;
• Excludes antique firearms; all firearms operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action; and firearms used by the military, law enforcement and retired law enforcement; and
• Requires grandfathered assault weapons be stored safely using a secure gun storage or safety device in order to keep them away from prohibited persons.

Full text of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 along with additional information is available at feinstein.senate.gov/assaultweapons.

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