The Assault Weapon Ban Bill 1808 was voted on in the House today and passed.
So what happens now?
The bill will go to the Senate.
To quote Jared from Guns & Gadgets, who had a live YouTube feed of the House going all day and is where I was watching this take place for hours:
“First, it needs to be scheduled. Then it would need 60 votes to overcome the filibuster to invoke cloture. If they get that, then they usually get the full vote.”
If it doesn’t pass the Senate, then the bill will die, which is what we are hoping for. If it passes the Senate, then it will be sent to the President, and we all know what will happen if it crosses his desk.
It is not enough just to “hope it does.” You need to get out there and contact your Senators and tell them to vote no to the unconstitutional bill. You can also this form from the NSSF to find your elected official’s contact info. Some may ask, “how many times or how often can I contact them?” The answer is as many times and as often as you want.
I’d also recommend following Jared at Guns & Gadgets to follow what is going on with this bill and other 2nd Amendment-related issues.
Here is a summary of what this “Assault Weapon Bill” entails:
This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).
The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; or (4) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model.
The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD:
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- importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments;
- importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and
- possession by a retired law enforcement officer.
The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties.
The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD.
Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture.
The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.
