WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding the upcoming expiration of the assault weapons ban:
“Despite steady gains made in lowering crime in the past decade, Congressional inaction is allowing the assault weapons ban to expire on Monday. Our police – who bravely patrol our streets and keep our neighborhoods safe – will now have the difficult task of facing criminals armed with new weapons designed not for hunting but for killing. The strong majority of Americans understand that this ban has been an effective and appropriate measure that improves our safety and deters violent criminal activity. At a time in our nation’s history when the security of our homes and neighborhoods has become a paramount issue, we must maintain common-sense solutions like the assault weapons ban.”
In 1994, Congress passed the Violent Crime and Control and Law Enforcement Act (P.L. 103-322), which for ten years banned importing or manufacturing new semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition clips. President Clinton signed the law on September 13, 1994, and it is set to expire on Monday, September 13, 2004. California is one of only seven states to have its own assault weapons ban.
Congressman Schiff has a 100% supportive voting record with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and is a co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003 (H.R. 2038). He is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.