Why Was the Federal Assault Weapons Ban Allowed to Expire in 2004?

For decades, firearms have been at the center of public and political debates, especially in the United States. In the 1980s, popular magazines like Guns Ammo began discussing these so-called 'assault weapons,' a term conservatives used to broadly describe semi-automatic firearms resembling weapons seen in movies and video games. The rise of these firearms was partly driven by the proliferation of action films and the public's desire to own similar weapons for both self-defense and sport.

Surge in Popular Demand for 'Assault Weapons'

The availability of these firearms in the public marketplace was significantly influenced by the content in firearms magazines. Storylines and depictions of these weapons in movies like The Deer Hunter, Die Hard, and Scarface created a surge in demand among gun enthusiasts. There was a sense that owning such a weapon made individuals part of a broader cultural narrative of power and heroism.

The Evolution of the Brady Campaign

It wasn't just firearm enthusiasts who became interested in these weapons. The anti-gun lobby also recognized the importance of these popular weapons in the public discourse. One of the largest organizations in this movement was the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which had its roots in the 1970s with the National Council to Control Handguns. Over the years, under various names, including Handgun Control Inc. and National Handgun Coalition, this organization worked tirelessly to limit the availability of handguns.

The name change from National Handgun Coalition to Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in 2000 marked a significant shift towards more comprehensive gun control efforts. The organization and its sister group, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, always aimed to make gun control more accessible and acceptable to the public by focusing on handguns first, a strategy they deemed more feasible than outright banning these weapons.

The Legislation: The Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994

Despite their efforts, the anti-gun lobby faced an uphill battle with handgun bans. However, they had a novel idea: to use the popularity of 'assault weapons' as a way to gain broader support for gun control measures. In 1994, after a series of significant legislative actions, a federal assault weapons ban was finally passed in Congress as part of a broader package of public safety measures.

This legislation defined 'assault weapons' based on cosmetic features like foldable or telescoping stocks, pistol grips, and flash hiders. The ban aimed to prevent the manufacture of new firearms that matched specific criteria, which included semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns with features that mimicked military-style weapons.

Key provisions of the ban included:

Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and having two or more of the following: folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, flash hider or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one, grenade launcher, or semi-automatic version of a fully automatic firearm. Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following features: magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip, threaded barrel to attach a barrel extender, flash suppressor, hand grip or suppressor, barrel shroud, or a safety feature that prevents burns to the operator. Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following: folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, fixed magazine capacity over 5 rounds, detachable magazine, or a semi-automatic version of a fully automatic firearm.

Aone of the innovative aspects of the ban was its sunset provision, which allowed it to expire after 10 years, in 2004.

Conclusion

The Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was a significant attempt to address the public's fascination with 'assault weapons.' Through the sunset provision, the legislation aimed to create a measure that could gain broad support, thus ensuring its eventual expiration. Despite its impact on limiting new firearm production, the ban was a strategic choice by the anti-gun lobby to navigate the complex landscape of gun control and public opinion.