H.R. 6257 would reinstate the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act.
Detailed Summary
Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to reinstate, for 10 years, the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act's assault weapons ban to prohibit the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon or a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Specifies models and features of banned weapons.
Sets forth exceptions to such ban, including: (1) firearms or devices lawfully possessed under federal law on the date of enactment of this Act; (2) certain firearms, replicas, or duplicates listed in an appendix as they were manufactured on October 1, 1993; (3) any firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action and that has been rendered permanently inoperable or that is an antique firearm; (4) any semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable magazine that holds more than five rounds of ammunition; (5) any semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five rounds in a fixed or detachable magazine; and (6) firearms manufactured for, transferred to, or possessed by a federal, state, or local government agency or for law enforcement.
Requires the serial number of any weapon or device manufactured after enactment of this Act to clearly show the date of manufacture.
Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the effects of this Act on violent and drug trafficking crime.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 7/28/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
ERA
Useless infringement upon our rights as Americans.
bill t.
This bill was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars. It expired and rightfully so. It won't work this time around any better. Can't these "legislators" actually do something to EARN their salary, besides infringing on our rights?
armedtotheteeth
Look at that long list of weapons added on the appendix. Yes, your Remington bolt action rifle that was your granpappys in 1940 is on there. lever actions, single shots you name it. This has got to get killed ...NOW!!
Also, the secret code to submit is damn impossible to read
glockpacker
These are not "assault weapons." They are Homeland Defense Rifles. It takes an extremely ignorant individual to want to disarm tens of millions of American patriots. These "politicians" are terrorists in sheep's clothing.
2nd forever
#1 How ridiculous for you to try to ban our firearms and infringe on our freedoms for using a technology that has been around and legal for over 100 years, #2 how DARE any of you call yourselves Republicans as you are only freedom hating despots in the making and nothing more!
TX_CO4
MOLON LABE
gunsforhire
It goes to show that the ELITE will never cease to bring about the unconstitutional agenda of disarming the rightful gun owners of America..they want them all(guns)!Not just the evil black guns that have "the shoulder thing that goes up"..Funny how the gun grabbers are unaffected by such laws and will be afforded armed security at tax payer expense while leaving the lawful to defend life and liberty against an evil society..Just remember when seconds count..the police are only minutes away!..I will defend myself against tyranny as my fore fathers decreed
iHATEcommunists
MOLON LABE
nope
go ahead and ban them.. and get voted out of office AGAIN like the last assault weapons ban. Jerks.
Dawn2Dusk
What part of "Shall Not Be Infringed" do people not understand???
VoteObama
MOLON LABE!!!!
Bmxbum2002
Hey VoteObama, this is your Obama's agenda...
MightyParagon
The Japanese were reluctant to invade our soil because of all the privately owned rifles here. They knew the people could fight back. Now that we HAVE been attacked on our own soil, we should disarm ourselves? Does this make sense to ANYONE?
Suzuki
The last I looked the Japanese DID invade our soil.
gunnutssuck
go get a hummer instead.
Dim Brady
This is ridiculous, more wasted tax dollars so the elite can feel good about themselves at Tofu parties. Even though the stats prove quite clearly that these weapons are almost never used in crimes.
Suzuki-I really don't think the Aleutian Islands with no people living there are a fair comparison.
RockinHeavyMetal
Does anybody know when the Chinese government is declaring independence from american rule?
I kinda wanted to do a little fishing before the blockades and all.
Bob Bradshaw
I'm surprised politicians can even propose asinine and unconstitutional bills like this without repercussions. This needs to be stopped, and I'm afraid the left might push gun owners for the purpose they were intended. That would certainly ruin their day.
1Patriot
"The founding fathers made the right to bear arms the second amendment for a reason. It's the one that protects all your other freedoms, which aren't worth the parchment they're printed on if you don't have the means to defend them." Penn Jillette
'nuf said
Skillet
Rediculous,
They are trying to make the streets of America sound like a war zone with semi-auto "Assault Rifles" in the hands of every criminal out there, when stats show that they are very seldom ever the weapon of choice for criminal elements...
Once the 'grabbers' get a foot in the door, they are going to kick it wide open.
jihadist
I will be defending my rights as long as I can pull a trigger...
they want to disarm the populace so they can complete there agenda...I say we march on congress before we can't.
Come Get Them!!!
I am sick and tired of all these career politicians and thier stupid BS. If they want them so damn bad...... then come to my house and TRY to take them. This has to end one wat or the other. So lets just get it over and done with once and for all and see who comes out on top.
Chimmi11
The last so called assault weapons ban was a joke. It only made things worse. Why don't the idiots in congress do something useful like vote for DRILLING IN THE US NOW and save the US from falling further in the hole and stop feeding terrorist countries.
Gun Owner
I WILL NEVER GIVE UP MY GUNS, NO MATTER WHAT THE LAWS SAY, SO YOU COME AND TRY TO TAKE THEM YOU PATHETIC SCUM!
EVERY SINGLE PERSON I LIVE WITH IS ARMED AND READY TO KILL FOR THEIR RIGHTS. I F*CKING DARE YOU!
MOLON LABE!
Mark
Didn't do anything from 1994-2004.
Criminals don't carry "assault weapons"...they're expensive, hard to come by/steal, and difficult to conceal.
Bad bill based on bad info and a complete lack of understanding of American history and government.
Another Gun owner
How much more do you think the American Gun Owner will take? You are treating every single one of them as criminals just for enjoying our second amendment rights...
Gun bans will only insure one thing... That criminals will have guns while innocents will die becuase they cannot defend themselves.
Ready to revolt
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people!"
- Patrick Henry
It's high time to refresh the tree of liberty!!!
MOLON LABE
False Prophet
Yet another law that means nothing to criminals and punishes the law abiding citizen. Why don't you ban Ted Kennedy's car? It has killed more people than all of my weapons combined!
A.J.
This, from the House of Representatives, that can’t maintain the House Bank, not even their own Cafeteria without screwing it up?
Yes Gentlemen Please continue tightening the screws on the law abiding so that the criminals you resemble so much may do as they will. You will force a reaction that you will not like!
You are disgusting!
A Former Illinois Law Enforcement Officer!
A Patriot
The ballot box looks like it is no longer working, I would hate to think in the near future the cartridge box will be the only option.
Molon Labe
Constitutionalist
This is unbelievable that our lawmakers seem to have nothing better to do than strip us (them to if they dont realize it) of our rights...are they trying to bring about another civil war??
ME
WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE LAW ABIDING PEOPLE BEING BEAT UP BY THE PEOPLE THAT WE ELECTED. THE CRIMINALS DON'T ELECT OUR REPRESENTIVES AND THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED BY ANY LAWS. WAKE UP AMERICA, THE GOVERMENT IS A SEPRTATE COMPANY TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THE CITIZINS WHO ELECTS THEM IS A SEPERATE ADVERSARY COMPANY.
Obama's a punk.
I guess I'm fixin' to become a criminal then. When they come for them, I hope they bring lots of body bags.
Molan Labe
Liberty's Defender
We need "Criminal Control", not gun control.
Sooner or later when these lawmakers go back to their districts they will find people waiting with nooses. It's inevitable given their behavior.
jon
he is catering to the folks in libtard ct where he is from especially the fairfield county area that has been over run by the elitist new yorkers moving there.
mygunstoo
HELL NO!! IT IS TIME TO PURGE THE POLITITIANS IN CONGRESS!!
Whitey
Μολὼν λαβέ
They'll have to peel them from my cold dead hands!
Whitey
Million man march worked for civil rights, Why dont we march for the U.S.constitution?
gun girl
Please notice that the Author is a Republican and each of the 4 co-sponsors is a NE Republican.
Why?
Might as well just delete the 2nd amendment,How long until the first amendmaent is tossed out as well?
mikedent
another terrible example of big government trying to reduce our freedoms more than they already have. insulting to all the military and others who have died and suffered to preserve our nation and its principles.
Victory or Death
I have served the Armed Forces of the U.S as well as working in law enforcement and lived a lawful life. I will never give up my weapons of my own free will!. Please make sure that they know this before wasting time on a ridiculous piece of feel good legislation that does nothing but criminalize gun owners. The 2nd Amenedment is there for a reason. To stop these piece of turds that get into office from stealing our rights and destroying the Constitution.
An Informed Voter
I noticed that one of my congressman (or should I say Congresswoman) is part of this ridiculous attempt at socialism. Needless to say I'll be doing my part in informing her constituents to vote differently.
TAZ
Wow, nice to know that real issues like energy supply, deficit spending, trade deficit have all been solved by our esteemed elected officials and we can now waste energy on useless feel good laws. I hope the people from these sponsors districts take note and unelect these silly people.
Lashoani
Molan Labe
M60G
Come and take them!
George W
This is nothing more than doing something very stupid, just to make it look like they are doing something. The first assault weapons ban did nothing in 10 years to curb crime. In fact, it took away more tools for a law abiding person to defend themselves with. Obviously, some members of Congress want to be voted out. Good!
AKranger
Hey Suzuki, yes the Japanese invaded American soil but they picked on a couple of Aleutian Islands with only a few villagers so I wouldn't equate that to an invasion of the American Homeland.
Horatius
This is an outrage. The Constitution needs to be restored. Sooner or later, these socialists will disarm the American populace, and resistance to tyranny will be futile.
Brian
Join the resistance to tyranny! www.campaignforliberty.com
Cory
This is starting to get out of hand, at the rate we are going we are no longer going to have any rights at all. Why dont the just tell us to stop breathing and get it over with. I think they all need to sit down and read what the constitution and see it say the right to bear arms, just because they make these laws doesnt mean that the crime is going to stop the criminals are still going to get the weapon and the citizens will be unable to defend themselfs.
Bill T.
@ Brian
Joined.
Thanks for the link.
One of many
Voting doesn't seem to work. We all know WHY the 2nd was put in the B.O.Rs.
Molon Labe
Are ya ready? ;)
anyone read it?
has anyone actually read the bill? like who is actually sponsering it? all you "the left wants to remove our liberties" had better take a closer look. it's being put through by 4 republicans...so vote them out of office!
American Minuteman
"...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness..."
--- Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies, 1776
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin-
"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law', because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual". ~~ T.'. Jefferson
TOMCO T
I am pro second amendment and do own one gun for protection of myself. What I do hear or see here is the same old BLUSTER as in come get them, pry them from my cold dead hands, Molon Labe and the like. If the feds show on your door are you going to die over a hand gun worth maybe 500.00? You will cough it up as fast as a bad shrimp, maybe with loud protest but you won't loose your life in front of the wife and kids for the ideal. Then you might purchase a piece but yuo'd give it up again
Dan
This is complete garbage.
Should call the morons who waste our money and time with this kind of crap.
Come get my guns.
Dan
TOMCO T - 1 handgun, nice collection ya got there, surely worth dying for *sigh*.
You can't speak for others, just because you'd cough your little .22 up like a shrimp doesn't mean others will give up all of their guns, which you can't claim to have any idea of. Some people take their guns a little more seriously than you do, apparently. One-gun-tom, please.
Mike USAF
Law bidding citizens keep America safe from invasion with their SEMI-AUTO rifles. Sound crazy, but you would have though I was crazy if I predicted 2 aircraft hitting the Twin Towers on 9/10/2001. Keep making your points everyone, but kepp language non-hostile. Stop making threats. Just act when and if we have to. They can't use police or the military against us because MOST of them will be on our side protecting FREEDOM.
Jay USAF
When those politicians learn that gun bans are set to fail because the only help the criminal and negatively affect the law-abiding citizens. Let's make another petition against it like it happened to H.R. 1022 and tell'em that it is uncontitutional. Remember New Orleans.
D Day Dog
When our founding fathers drafted the constitution, it was with the idea that we should be able to "actually defend ourselves". I don't know about the rest of you, but if all I'm allowed to own is a .22 cal. chipmunk, I might as well surrender before firing a shot, cause that ain't gonna do it. I don't want to own a bazooka or a cannon or a surface to air missle. Just the ability to form a realistic militia in the event of the (choke) apparent enevitable.
RED
"Latest Major Action: 6/12/2008 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary."
I dont think it is dead/expired yet "bill t" IF IT IS I APOLOGIZE, IF IT ISN'T getting to writing your REP.
Take action Now
It might be time for the second American Revolution. Gear up boy's here we go. The enemy is in congress. delete their job with a gun.
chevybelair57sd
Lets reward these idiots for their continual display of ignorance in all things american by putting them back into real life jobs in the society they screwed up
NO WAY
This must be struck down now.
Kwicko
Did anybody else notice that the previous AWB wasn't so much aimed at doing away with "assault weapons" as it was at making sure that if you DID buy one, it was an AMERCAN-MADE one? Seems it's just more economic BS clothed in the cloak of a do-gooder law, which has the net effect of accomplishing neither aim.
Webleymkv
Laws such as this serve only to disarm law abiding citizens and to turn certain law abiding citizens into criminals. This bill serves no public good whatsoever. Hopefully, in light of Heller v DC, this one will be allowed to die like McCarthy's did.
Snot Rocket
I wonder if our so-called representatives have any clue that introducing bills like this do FAR MORE to cause the rapid proliferation of the very firearms they seek to ban? Sales of targeted firearms and accessories are currently through the roof!!! Ha ha… What a bunch of dolts (unless they’re the one who own these firearms companies).
If this stupid law passes, one of the few remaining manufacturing sectors of our economy will collapse. Unemployment will climb drastically from people who manufacture all the way through final sales. Taxes collected from both earnings and sales will plummet and result in poetic justice for the government that would pass such a law. Tragically, the firearms in circulation may be called upon to remove an entrenched elitist group of “lawmakers” who have NO respect for the rights of the average citizen.
What a recipe for disaster – and a perfect reason to get it on!
2nd forever
vote from the rooftops!
just little old me
ugh r u ready
Tree Hugging Gun Lover
Hey BMX bum -
This is a Republican bill!
Feel good bill is right...
Congresspeopl: Why not legislate a REAL problem, like the Energy Crisis? Oh yeah, because the oil companies are in your back pocket! Maybe Browning, Remington or Winchester should start paying you off as well.
And yes, I AM a treehugger that happens to love shooting. And YES, I believe that hunting licenses are better for deer than PETA can ever hope to be, so drop the tofu jokes already.
specialist librarian
almost all firearms are a result of technilogical advancement brought on for the preservation of nation's and their people during a time on conflict. look at WW2 for example. to deny these tools which not only protected this nation from the begining, but reflected our amazing ability to adapt, is un-American. for those that are pro-gun control, will you place a sign in your front yard that says "Attention Criminals, we believe in gun control. there are no guns in this house."? don't let your beliefs stop at speech.
John Brown
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
1Love
Another reason why to vote McCain!
Krato88
Representing Manassass VA - got over 3k 5.56 and .45 with the means to sling it - Molan Labe M-f***ers.
whatsnext
Fear a government that fears your guns!
Of all the non-issues
With the economy collapsing, energy prices soaring, and two wars being fought, it's good to know Congress has time to tackle the REAL issues, like gun control.
When was the last time you heard one of your neighbors complaining about someone with an assault rifle?
This is about power, and if they try and pass it again they will find out just how much power they do not have.
Ross
did anyone see the Ak and the SKS on the list??? i did not, most odd. anyway...
i say let them come get them. i will not give up my SKS or AK74 or Lightning for anyone!!
smeg
The list in appendix A of the bill is weapons that are not banned by the bill. That's why you don't see the AK or a lot of other weapons specifically listed on it and there are a lot of common sporting rifles/shotguns that are listed. The problem is that if we let them take an inch they'll take a mile, and this bill does infringe on the peoples right to keep and bear arms, so this bill has to be shot down ASAP.
V
If there is a american killing politicians any time soon I will not be surprised... but I might join in with countless others. "People should not be afraid of their government it is the government that should be afraid of its people." V for vendetta
Ironic how our taxes that are supposed to help us and our rights turn up infringing them. It is those selfish airbags getting fat on benefits and our taxes. America needs a revolution! Our current government is the one our fore fathers ran from. I hope I am not the only who is literally even now thinking how to kill a congressman.
smeg
Addendum to my earlier comment about the appendix which lists weapons that are not to be banned: Later in the bill there is a clause stating that they shall not be banned as long as appendix A is in effect. That means they are leaving the door open to drop the appendix at a later date and ban whatever they want to. I think appendix A is just a way to "sugar coat" the thing to get it passed by making people think "gee, that's not so bad, look at all the stuff that isn't banned". Weapons like AK's and AR-15's are banned in another section of the bill which uses the same criteria as the old AWB from 1994. Unless I'm totally reading this thing wrong...