Senate Bill to Ban Assault Weapons

Posted on the 27 December 2012 by Eowyn @DrEowyn

When the 113th Congress convenes in a week on January 3, 2013, long-time gun control advocate Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Ca), will introduce a bill — 2013 Feinstein Assault Weapons Legislation — to restrict our Second Amendment right to bear arms.

At this point, we don’t have the bill’s number or a formal name. All we have is this summary of her proposed legislation from Feinstein’s website:

1. Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:

  • 120 specifically-named firearms
  • Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
  • Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds

2. Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:

  • Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
  • Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
  • Banning firearms with “thumbhole stocks” and “bullet buttons” to address attempts to “work around” prior bans

3. Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.

4. Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:

  • Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
  • Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes and
  • Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons

5. Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:

  • Background check of owner and any transferee;
  • Type and serial number of the firearm;
  • Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
  • Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and
  • Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration

A pdf of the bill summary is available here.

Gosh, do you think Diane Feinstein’s proposed ban will be applied to her armed guards? [Snark]

H/t ConservativeByte and FOTM’s Tina.

~Eowyn