Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt an amendment to S 649 that prohibits the import, sale, manufacture and possession of assault weapons.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from importing, selling, manufacturing, transferring, or possessing a “semiautomatic assault weapon” (Sec. 403).

• Defines a “semiautomatic assault weapon” as a type of firearm including, but not limited to, the following characteristics (Sec. 402):
• a semiautomatic rifle or pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;
• a semiautomatic pistol that can accept a detachable magazine;
• a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm;
• all AK and AK-47 types; 
• all AR types;
• all Thompson rifles; and
• all UZI types.

• Prohibits an individual from importing, selling, manufacturing, transferring, or possessing a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” (Sec. 403).

• Defines “large capacity ammunition feeding device” as a magazine, belt, drum, or feed strip that has an overall capacity of or can be converted to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition (Sec. 403). 

• Exempts certain entities and individuals from the provisions of this bill, including, but not limited to the following (Sec. 403):
• A department or agency of the United States;
• A department, agency, or political subdivision of a state;
• A qualified law enforcement officer employed by the United States or a state; and
• An individual who retired in good standing with from law enforcement and is not otherwise prohibited from receiving a firearm.

• Exempts certain categories of firearms from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 403):
• semiautomatic assault weapons and magazines that were legally owned before the enactment of the bill;
• firearms used for hunting and sporting activities.

• Requires the Attorney General to instruct the Director of the National Institutes of Justice to conduct a study of incidents of mass shootings in the United States, examining issues including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 406):
• Childhood abuse and bullying;
• Exposure to criminal acts;
• Mental Illness;
• The effectiveness and availability of mental health resources;
• The availability of firearms; and
• Depictions of violence in video games and entertainment.

• Requires the director to submit to Congress the results of the study no later than 1 year after the study begins (Sec. 406). 

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text