Assault weapon bans

Assault weapon bans are laws that prohibit or restrict the sale, possession, or manufacture of certain types of firearms labeled as "assault weapons." These weapons are typically semi-automatic guns with features like large magazines or military-style appearances. The goal of these bans is to reduce the potential for large-scale violence and improve public safety by limiting access to firearms that can cause significant harm in mass shooting scenarios. Enforcement varies by jurisdiction, and debates often focus on issues such as firearm rights, effectiveness, and how to define which weapons are covered.