HOUSE VOTES TO PASS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AFTER LARSON LEADS CALL FOR VOTE

Press Release

Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for H.R. 1808, legislation to reinstate an Assault Weapons Ban, prohibiting the sale, manufacture, or transfer of new semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The likelihood of mass shooting deaths fell by 70% while the 1994-2004 Assault Weapons Ban was in effect, saving countless lives.

"AR-15 style firearms have become the weapon of choice for mass shooters because they are designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible," said Larson. "These weapons were designed for military use in warzones, and instead they are tearing communities apart in our schools, churches, grocery stores, and movie theaters. We saw the effectiveness of the Assault Weapons Ban from 1994-2004 - lives were saved. After its expiration, mass shootings rose 483%. Americans have been forced to wait too long for action that will protect them from the tragedy of a mass shooting, and I am proud to vote for this legislation today.

"In Connecticut, the families of Sandy Hook and groups like Mothers United Against Violence are some of our most eloquent spokespeople, advocating for the victims of these senseless crimes," Larson continued. "The House has acted and voted on legislation to address their concerns. I urge my Senate colleagues to do what they are elected to do and pass this life-saving legislation."

In May, Rep. Larson and the other organizers of the gun violence prevention sit-in in 2016 led 131 of their colleagues in a letter to House leadership urging immediate action to combat gun violence.

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