CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ACTS TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS

(Washington, DC) - Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to enact critical legislation to ban military style assault weapons, taking a critical step forward in the fight to reduce gun violence and protect families.

“Assault weapons have only one purpose: to kill as many people as quickly and as brutally as possible. There is no place for them anywhere outside of a battlefield,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Banning these weapons is another important step towards enacting the common-sense gun reforms necessary to protect our community and reduce the devastating mass shootings that have taken far too many innocent lives. I have repeatedly called on Congress to take up this legislation—I’m proud to cast my vote in support of it today, and I will continue to fight for the necessary gun reforms we need to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people.” 

Eight of the ten deadliest mass shootings in recent American history have involved guns that would have been outlawed under the previous assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. Since the ban ended, mass shooting deaths have tripled. According to estimates, had this ban remained in place, there would be 70 percent fewer mass shooting deaths. 

HR 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device.

In addition to this legislation, Congressman Morelle supports and has voted to pass measures to: enact universal background checks on gun sales, crack down on gun-trafficking, hold gun shops accountable for stolen weapons, strengthen red flag laws, provide more resources for law enforcement, and more.