1994 Assault Weapons Ban

The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was a federal law that prohibited the manufacture, transfer, and possession of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines categorized as assault weapons. It aimed to reduce gun violence by restricting firearms with specific military-style features. The ban applied to new weapons; existing owners could keep their guns. It lasted for ten years and was not renewed in 2004. Supporters argued it helped decrease firearm-related violence, while opponents claimed it limited legal gun ownership without significantly impacting crime rates.