McEachin Helps Pass Legislation to Ban Assault Weapons

Press Release

Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) voted to help curb gun violence by passing H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2022, to restore and update the prior assault weapons ban.

"Assault weapons have become the weapon of choice for mass shooters. As a nation, we have seen the devastation these weapons of war can cause in instances like Uvalde, Buffalo, and more," said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). "We cannot sit idly by and allow these tragedies to continue. These weapons have no place in our communities. I am proud to vote in support of the Assault Weapons Ban to reduce the prevalence of these weapons, protect our communities, and save lives."

From 1994 to 2004, semiautomatic assault weapons were banned. During this period, researchers found that mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur. There are currently no federal laws that restrict the sale of semiautomatic assault weapons or large capacity ammunition feeding devices

Among its provisions, H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, would:

Prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices
Require that semiautomatic assault weapons be securely stored so that they are not accessible to those who are prohibited from possessing them
Allow states to use Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds for voluntary buyback programs for semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity magazines
Exempt the use of semiautomatic weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices for specific uses such as law enforcement, nuclear security, testing authorized by the Attorney General, and temporary transfers without a background check for target shooting at a licensed target facility or established range

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