Statement by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
on The Assault Weapons Ban
Set to expire on September 13th

by Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

September 8, 2004

Unless Congress and the President act immediately, the federal assault weapons ban will expire in just 5 days.

The ban on assault weapons has saved countless lives since enacted in 1994, including the lives of our brave and selfless police officers who are working to keep our communities safe. Police lobbied for this ban when it first came before Congress because they had first-hand knowledge of the unique and severe threat posed by assault weapons.

Assault weapons are not used to protect homes and families. They aren't used by hunters. They are used by criminals and gang members who want the ability to instill fear and to fire dozens of rounds in seconds. They are designed as killing machines.

If we had not enacted the federal Assault Weapons Ban, an estimated 60,000 more assault weapons would have been used in crimes over the past ten years. We cannot afford to waste any more time, particularly in this age of terrorism. Gun manufacturers are already beginning to market assault weapons and will be ready to sell them as soon as the ban expires.

President Bush stated during the 2000 campaign that he supported the reauthorization of this ban. But unless President Bush steps forward and urges Congress to act, the assault weapons ban will expire on Monday.

These weapons are cop killers. They are child killers. And they don't belong back on our streets. It's time to do what is right for the safety of our communities and extend the ban on assault weapons that has been so effective these past 10 years.

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

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For more information on Senator Boxer's record and other information, please go to: http://boxer.senate.gov

If you would like to make a comment regarding this or any other federal matter, please feel free to do so at: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm