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The [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]] renewed debate about federal and state [[Gun control]], in particular a renewed and expanded [[assault weapon ban|assault weapon]] and [[high-capacity magazine ban]]s, and about universal background checks ([[National Instant Criminal Background Check System|criminal background checks]] on all gun sales).
⚫
The '''Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013)''' was a [[Bill (law)|bill]] introduced in the [[113th United States Congress]] as S. 150 by Senator [[Diane Feinstein]] on January 24, 2013, one month after the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]]. It was defeated in the Senate on April 17, 2013 by a vote of 60 to 40.


⚫
In the shooting, 20 children and 6 adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in [[Newtown, Connecticut]].<ref name=Barron121215/> It was the deadliest primary or secondary [[school shooting]],<ref name=Effron121214/> the second-deadliest [[mass shooting]] by a single person,<ref name=Candiotti-Ford121216/> and one of the 25 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.<ref name=CNNLib131026/>
==Background==
⚫
Efforts to create a new federal [[Federal assault weapons ban|Assault Weapons Ban (AWB 1994)]] were renewed on December 14, 2012, when 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in [[Newtown, Connecticut]].<ref name=Barron121215/> It was the deadliest primary or secondary [[school shooting]],<ref name=Effron121214/> the second-deadliest [[mass shooting]] by a single person,<ref name=Candiotti-Ford121216/> and one of the 25 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.<ref name=CNNLib131026/>

⚫
Within hours of the shooting, a [[We the People (petitioning system)|We the People]] user started a petition asking the [[White House]] to "immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress." That afternoon, President [[Barack Obama]] made a televised statement offering condolences on behalf of the nation to Connecticut governor, [[Dannel Malloy]] and saying, "we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics."<ref name=ObamaStmt121214/> Speaking at a December 16 memorial service in Newtown, Obama said he would "use whatever power this office holds" to prevent similar tragedies.<ref name=Landler-Baker121217/> By December 17, the White House petition had more than 150,000 signatures,<ref name=Wing121217/> and one week after the shooting it had almost 200,000, along with those on 30 similar petitions.<ref name=Levy121221/> One month later, Diane Feinstein introduced the bill.


On December 21, 2012, [[Wayne LaPierre]], executive vice president of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), expressed the gun-rights group's sympathy for the families of Newtown. LaPierre said that [[Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990|gun-free school zones]] attract killers, and that "the media demonize lawful gun owners, amplify their cries for more laws, and fill the national media with misinformation and dishonest thinking that only delay meaningful action." He said, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," and that debating legislation that won't work would be a waste of time. He called on Congress "to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation" so that every school in America would be safe when pupils returned to school in January 2013. (American schools typically take a winter break from about mid-December to early January.) LaPierre announced that the NRA would develop a National Model School Shield Program for every American school that wants it.<ref name=LaPierre121221/>
On December 21, 2012, [[Wayne LaPierre]], executive vice president of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), expressed the gun-rights group's sympathy for the families of Newtown. LaPierre said that [[Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990|gun-free school zones]] attract killers, and that "the media demonize lawful gun owners, amplify their cries for more laws, and fill the national media with misinformation and dishonest thinking that only delay meaningful action." He said, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," and that debating legislation that won't work would be a waste of time. He called on Congress "to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation" so that every school in America would be safe when pupils returned to school in January 2013. (American schools typically take a winter break from about mid-December to early January.) LaPierre announced that the NRA would develop a National Model School Shield Program for every American school that wants it.<ref name=LaPierre121221/>


==Public opinion==
⚫
Within hours of the shooting, a [[We the People (petitioning system)|We the People]] user started a petition asking the [[White House]] to "immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress." That afternoon, President [[Barack Obama]] made a televised statement offering condolences on behalf of the nation to Connecticut governor, [[Dannel Malloy]] and saying, "we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics."<ref name=ObamaStmt121214/> Speaking at a December 16 memorial service in Newtown, Obama said he would "use whatever power this office holds" to prevent similar tragedies.<ref name=Landler-Baker121217/> By December 17, the White House petition had more than 150,000 signatures,<ref name=Wing121217/> and one week after the shooting it had almost 200,000, along with those on 30 similar petitions.<ref name=Levy121221/>

⚫
Immediately following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, public support for strengthening gun laws rose 15 percent, but a majority were opposed to banning assault weapons. A record-high 74 percent opposed a ban on handguns.<ref name=Madhani121226/><ref name=Saad121227/>

==Executive actions by President Obama==
On January 16, 2013, Obama announced a plan for reducing gun violence in four parts: closing background check loopholes; banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services.<ref name=WHNow-site/><ref name=WHNow-full/>{{rp|2}} The plan included 23 executive orders, signed immediately by the president, and proposals for Congress.<ref name=MacAskill-Pilkington/> The White House's proposed congressional actions were these:<ref name=NYT-WHProposal130116/>
On January 16, 2013, Obama announced a plan for reducing gun violence in four parts: closing background check loopholes; banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services.<ref name=WHNow-site/><ref name=WHNow-full/>{{rp|2}} The plan included 23 executive orders, signed immediately by the president, and proposals for Congress.<ref name=MacAskill-Pilkington/> The White House's proposed congressional actions were these:<ref name=NYT-WHProposal130116/>
* Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales, including those by private sellers that currently are exempt.
* Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales, including those by private sellers that currently are exempt.
Line 24: Line 27:
The proposals were opposed by the NRA and the [[National Shooting Sports Foundation]] (NSSF),<ref name=Horwitz130116/> and opposition was expected by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and some [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] legislators.<ref name=MacAskill-Pilkington/><ref name=WSJ130116/>
The proposals were opposed by the NRA and the [[National Shooting Sports Foundation]] (NSSF),<ref name=Horwitz130116/> and opposition was expected by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and some [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] legislators.<ref name=MacAskill-Pilkington/><ref name=WSJ130116/>


==Assault Weapons Ban of 2013==
==Introduction of the bill, and debate==
⚫
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013) was a [[Bill (law)|bill]] introduced in the [[113th United States Congress]] as S. 150 by Senator [[Diane Feinstein]], one month after the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]]. It was defeated in the Senate on April 17, 2013 by a vote of 60 to 40.

On January 24, 2013, [[Dianne Feinstein]] and 24 Democrat cosponsors introduced {{USBill|113|S.|150}}, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, into the [[U.S. Senate]].<ref name=CSPAN130124/><ref name=Freedman130124/> The bill was similar to the 1994 federal ban, but differed in that it used a one-feature test for a firearm to qualify as an [[assault weapon]] rather than the two-feature test of the 1994 ban.<ref name=Kucinich130124/> In addition, it banned: the sale, transfer, importation or manufacture of about 150 named firearms; firearms with "thumbhole stocks" and "bullet buttons"; the importation of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines; and high-capacity ammunition magazines (defined as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds).<ref name=Kucinich130124/> It would have grandfathered in weapons legally owned on the day of enactment, but those firearms would have been non-transferable and could only remain with their current owners until their deaths, at which point they would be forfeited to the government.{{cn|date=April 2014}} The bill exempted more than 2,000 specific rifles and shotguns "used for hunting or sporting purposes."<ref name=Kucinich130124/>
On January 24, 2013, [[Dianne Feinstein]] and 24 Democrat cosponsors introduced {{USBill|113|S.|150}}, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, into the [[U.S. Senate]].<ref name=CSPAN130124/><ref name=Freedman130124/> The bill was similar to the 1994 federal ban, but differed in that it used a one-feature test for a firearm to qualify as an [[assault weapon]] rather than the two-feature test of the 1994 ban.<ref name=Kucinich130124/> In addition, it banned: the sale, transfer, importation or manufacture of about 150 named firearms; firearms with "thumbhole stocks" and "bullet buttons"; the importation of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines; and high-capacity ammunition magazines (defined as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds).<ref name=Kucinich130124/> It would have grandfathered in weapons legally owned on the day of enactment, but those firearms would have been non-transferable and could only remain with their current owners until their deaths, at which point they would be forfeited to the government.{{cn|date=April 2014}} The bill exempted more than 2,000 specific rifles and shotguns "used for hunting or sporting purposes."<ref name=Kucinich130124/>


On March 14, 2013, the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]] approved the bill, though it was expected not to clear the full Senate.<ref name=Steinhauer130314/> Had the bill passed in the Senate, it was expected to not pass in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/14/senate-committee-ready-to-ok-assault-weapons-ban/</ref><ref>http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/01/23/feinstein-assault-weapons-ban/1856613/</ref>
On March 14, 2013, the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]] approved the bill, though it was expected not to clear the full Senate.<ref name=Steinhauer130314/> Had the bill passed in the Senate, it was expected to not pass in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/14/senate-committee-ready-to-ok-assault-weapons-ban/</ref><ref>http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/01/23/feinstein-assault-weapons-ban/1856613/</ref>

⚫
===Defeat of the bill===
⚫
In March 2013, Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] decided to leave the proposed ban out of the broader gun control bill, saying that it was unlikely to win 40 votes in the 100-member chamber and that it would jeopardize more widely supported proposals. On the morning of April 17, 2013, Feinstein displayed on the Senate floor a blow-up of a ''New York Daily News'' front page with photos of the 20 dead Sandy Hook Elementary School children and the headline, "Shame on U.S."<ref name=Simon130417/><ref name=Warren130417/> Before the vote, she said to her colleagues, "Show some guts." However, as expected,<ref name=Fox130417/> S. 150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, failed on a vote of 60 to 40. It was supported by Democrat Reid and Republican Senator [[Mark Kirk]], but 15 Democrats, one [[Independent (politician)|independent]], and all the Republicans except Kirk voted against the ban.<ref name=Simon130417/>

⚫
After the vote, Feinstein said that Congress' not passing the law would lead a number of states passing their own assault weapons bans. She vowed to keep trying, and said "I believe the American people are far ahead of their elected officials on this issue."<ref name=Simon130417/>


===Advocacy===
===Advocacy===
The NRA's reaction to the proposed bill was swift. Its Institute for Legislative Action division started a "Stop The Gun Ban" campaign before the legislation was introduced in the Senate, asking its members to call their representatives and urge them to oppose the ban.<ref name=NRAILAStopTheGunBan/> [[Gun Owners of America]] (GOA) asked its members to do the same.<ref name=GOAObamaGoesNuts/> The [[Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence]] issued a press release in support of the bill.<ref name=BradyStmt130124/>
The NRA's reaction to the proposed bill was swift. Its Institute for Legislative Action division started a "Stop The Gun Ban" campaign before the legislation was introduced in the Senate, asking its members to call their representatives and urge them to oppose the ban.<ref name=NRAILAStopTheGunBan/> [[Gun Owners of America]] (GOA) asked its members to do the same.<ref name=GOAObamaGoesNuts/> The [[Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence]] issued a press release in support of the bill.<ref name=BradyStmt130124/>


===Public opinion===
==State actions==
⚫
Immediately following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, public support for strengthening gun laws rose 15 percent, but a majority were opposed to banning assault weapons. A record-high 74 percent opposed a ban on handguns.<ref name=Madhani121226/><ref name=Saad121227/>

⚫
==Defeat of the bill, and after==
⚫
In March 2013, Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] decided to leave the proposed ban out of the broader gun control bill, saying that it was unlikely to win 40 votes in the 100-member chamber and that it would jeopardize more widely supported proposals. On the morning of April 17, 2013, Feinstein displayed on the Senate floor a blow-up of a ''New York Daily News'' front page with photos of the 20 dead Sandy Hook Elementary School children and the headline, "Shame on U.S."<ref name=Simon130417/><ref name=Warren130417/> Before the vote, she said to her colleagues, "Show some guts." However, as expected,<ref name=Fox130417/> S. 150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, failed on a vote of 60 to 40. It was supported by Democrat Reid and Republican Senator [[Mark Kirk]], but 15 Democrats, one [[Independent (politician)|independent]], and all the Republicans except Kirk voted against the ban.<ref name=Simon130417/>

Even before the U.S. Senate vote, states like New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, began pushing for new gun restrictions. As of April 3, 2013, only five states had passed strengthened gun laws (7), while ten states had passed laws (17) that weakened gun restrictions. However, while gun-control legislation such as New York's assault weapons ban tended to be more comprehensive, the gun-rights legislation involved smaller changes like South Dakota's allowing teachers to bring guns into the classroom.<ref name=Hartmann130403/>
Even before the U.S. Senate vote, states like New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, began pushing for new gun restrictions. As of April 3, 2013, only five states had passed strengthened gun laws (7), while ten states had passed laws (17) that weakened gun restrictions. However, while gun-control legislation such as New York's assault weapons ban tended to be more comprehensive, the gun-rights legislation involved smaller changes like South Dakota's allowing teachers to bring guns into the classroom.<ref name=Hartmann130403/>

⚫
After the vote, Feinstein said that Congress' not passing the law would lead a number of states passing their own assault weapons bans. She vowed to keep trying, and said "I believe the American people are far ahead of their elected officials on this issue."<ref name=Simon130417/>


As of April 2014 stricter firearms laws have been passed in seven states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.<ref name=TGD2014/>{{rp|48–49}} States that passed stricter laws after the shooting generally already had relatively strict gun control.<ref name=DeLuca130302/> In Connecticut and New York, there has been significant non-compliance with Assault Weapon registration requirements. <ref>http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-10/business/hc-haar-gun-registration-felons-20140210_1_assault-weapons-rifles-gun-registration-law</ref><ref>http://poststar.com/news/local/protesters-burn-gun-registration-forms/article_0f9d8442-ad59-11e3-a480-001a4bcf887a.html</ref><ref>http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/new_york_state_gun_owners_expect_few_to_register_law.html</ref><ref>http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/13/ny-safe-act-assault-weapons/7671183/</ref><ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankminiter/2014/04/13/as-many-as-one-million-armed-new-yorkers-are-about-to-break-the-law/</ref>
As of April 2014 stricter firearms laws have been passed in seven states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.<ref name=TGD2014/>{{rp|48–49}} States that passed stricter laws after the shooting generally already had relatively strict gun control.<ref name=DeLuca130302/> In Connecticut and New York, there has been significant non-compliance with Assault Weapon registration requirements. <ref>http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-10/business/hc-haar-gun-registration-felons-20140210_1_assault-weapons-rifles-gun-registration-law</ref><ref>http://poststar.com/news/local/protesters-burn-gun-registration-forms/article_0f9d8442-ad59-11e3-a480-001a4bcf887a.html</ref><ref>http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/new_york_state_gun_owners_expect_few_to_register_law.html</ref><ref>http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/13/ny-safe-act-assault-weapons/7671183/</ref><ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankminiter/2014/04/13/as-many-as-one-million-armed-new-yorkers-are-about-to-break-the-law/</ref>


Most states that passed gun laws since the shooting, relaxed their gun laws <ref name=Block131211/><ref name=Hartmann130403/> including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.<ref name=Drash-Lyles130608/>
Most states that passed gun laws since the shooting, relaxed their gun laws <ref name=Block131211/><ref name=Hartmann130403/> including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.<ref name=Drash-Lyles130608/>

===Connecticut===
In the early morning hours of April 4, 2013, the [[Connecticut General Assembly]] passed new restrictions to the state's existing assault weapons ban. Governor [[Dannel Malloy]] signed them into law later the same day.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 4, 2013 |title=Connecticut Governor Signs Gun Measures |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/nyregion/connecticut-lawmakers-pass-gun-limits.html |newspaper=New York Times |location= |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=April 10, 2014 }}</ref> The law also banned the sale or purchase of [[High-capacity magazine#Capacity|high-capacity magazines]] like those used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and required universal background checks (background checks on all gun purchases).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mungin |first1=Lateef |last2=Brady |first2=Britanny |date=April 4, 2013 |title=Connecticut governor signs sweeping gun measure |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/04/us/connecticut-gun-law-overhaul/ |newspaper= |location= |publisher=Cable News Network |accessdate=April 10, 2014 }}</ref>

Gun owners challenged the law, but federal judge [[Alfred Covello]] upheld the law, ruling it constitutional and writing, "While the act burdens the plaintiffs' Second Amendment rights, it is substantially related to the important governmental interest of public safety and crime control." Gun owners said they would appeal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pazniokas |first=Mark |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Federal judge upholds Sandy Hook gun law |url=http://ctmirror.org/federal-judge-upholds-sandy-hook-gun-law/ |newspaper=Connecticut Mirror |location= |publisher=Connecticut News Project |accessdate=April 10, 2014 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:39, 15 April 2014

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting renewed debate about federal and state Gun control, in particular a renewed and expanded assault weapon and high-capacity magazine bans, and about universal background checks (criminal background checks on all gun sales).

In the shooting, 20 children and 6 adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.[1] It was the deadliest primary or secondary school shooting,[2] the second-deadliest mass shooting by a single person,[3] and one of the 25 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.[4]

On December 21, 2012, Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), expressed the gun-rights group's sympathy for the families of Newtown. LaPierre said that gun-free school zones attract killers, and that "the media demonize lawful gun owners, amplify their cries for more laws, and fill the national media with misinformation and dishonest thinking that only delay meaningful action." He said, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," and that debating legislation that won't work would be a waste of time. He called on Congress "to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation" so that every school in America would be safe when pupils returned to school in January 2013. (American schools typically take a winter break from about mid-December to early January.) LaPierre announced that the NRA would develop a National Model School Shield Program for every American school that wants it.[5]

Public opinion

Within hours of the shooting, a We the People user started a petition asking the White House to "immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress." That afternoon, President Barack Obama made a televised statement offering condolences on behalf of the nation to Connecticut governor, Dannel Malloy and saying, "we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics."[6] Speaking at a December 16 memorial service in Newtown, Obama said he would "use whatever power this office holds" to prevent similar tragedies.[7] By December 17, the White House petition had more than 150,000 signatures,[8] and one week after the shooting it had almost 200,000, along with those on 30 similar petitions.[9]

Immediately following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, public support for strengthening gun laws rose 15 percent, but a majority were opposed to banning assault weapons. A record-high 74 percent opposed a ban on handguns.[10][11]

Executive actions by President Obama

On January 16, 2013, Obama announced a plan for reducing gun violence in four parts: closing background check loopholes; banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services.[12][13]: 2  The plan included 23 executive orders, signed immediately by the president, and proposals for Congress.[14] The White House's proposed congressional actions were these:[15]

  • Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales, including those by private sellers that currently are exempt.
  • Reinstating and strengthening the ban on assault weapons that was in place from 1994 to 2004.
  • Limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
  • Banning the possession of armor-piercing bullets by anyone other than members of the military and law enforcement.
  • Increasing criminal penalties for "straw purchasers," people who pass the required background check to buy a gun on behalf of someone else.
  • Acting on a $4 billion administration proposal to help keep 15,000 police officers on the street.
  • Confirming President Obama's nominee for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
  • Eliminating a restriction that requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to allow the importation of weapons that are more than 50 years old.
  • Financing programs to train more police officers, first responders and school officials on how to respond to active armed attacks.
  • Provide additional $20 million to help expand the a system that tracks violent deaths across the nation from 18 states to 50 states.
  • Providing $30 million in grants to states to help schools develop emergency response plans.
  • Providing financing to expand mental health programs for young people.

The proposals were opposed by the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF),[16] and opposition was expected by Republican and some Democrat legislators.[14][17]

Assault Weapons Ban of 2013

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013) was a bill introduced in the 113th United States Congress as S. 150 by Senator Diane Feinstein, one month after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It was defeated in the Senate on April 17, 2013 by a vote of 60 to 40.

On January 24, 2013, Dianne Feinstein and 24 Democrat cosponsors introduced S. 150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, into the U.S. Senate.[18][19] The bill was similar to the 1994 federal ban, but differed in that it used a one-feature test for a firearm to qualify as an assault weapon rather than the two-feature test of the 1994 ban.[20] In addition, it banned: the sale, transfer, importation or manufacture of about 150 named firearms; firearms with "thumbhole stocks" and "bullet buttons"; the importation of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines; and high-capacity ammunition magazines (defined as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds).[20] It would have grandfathered in weapons legally owned on the day of enactment, but those firearms would have been non-transferable and could only remain with their current owners until their deaths, at which point they would be forfeited to the government.[citation needed] The bill exempted more than 2,000 specific rifles and shotguns "used for hunting or sporting purposes."[20]

On March 14, 2013, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill, though it was expected not to clear the full Senate.[21] Had the bill passed in the Senate, it was expected to not pass in the House of Representatives.[22][23]

Defeat of the bill

In March 2013, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decided to leave the proposed ban out of the broader gun control bill, saying that it was unlikely to win 40 votes in the 100-member chamber and that it would jeopardize more widely supported proposals. On the morning of April 17, 2013, Feinstein displayed on the Senate floor a blow-up of a New York Daily News front page with photos of the 20 dead Sandy Hook Elementary School children and the headline, "Shame on U.S."[24][25] Before the vote, she said to her colleagues, "Show some guts." However, as expected,[26] S. 150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, failed on a vote of 60 to 40. It was supported by Democrat Reid and Republican Senator Mark Kirk, but 15 Democrats, one independent, and all the Republicans except Kirk voted against the ban.[24]

After the vote, Feinstein said that Congress' not passing the law would lead a number of states passing their own assault weapons bans. She vowed to keep trying, and said "I believe the American people are far ahead of their elected officials on this issue."[24]

Advocacy

The NRA's reaction to the proposed bill was swift. Its Institute for Legislative Action division started a "Stop The Gun Ban" campaign before the legislation was introduced in the Senate, asking its members to call their representatives and urge them to oppose the ban.[27] Gun Owners of America (GOA) asked its members to do the same.[28] The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued a press release in support of the bill.[29]

State actions

Even before the U.S. Senate vote, states like New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, began pushing for new gun restrictions. As of April 3, 2013, only five states had passed strengthened gun laws (7), while ten states had passed laws (17) that weakened gun restrictions. However, while gun-control legislation such as New York's assault weapons ban tended to be more comprehensive, the gun-rights legislation involved smaller changes like South Dakota's allowing teachers to bring guns into the classroom.[30]

As of April 2014 stricter firearms laws have been passed in seven states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.[31]: 48–49  States that passed stricter laws after the shooting generally already had relatively strict gun control.[32] In Connecticut and New York, there has been significant non-compliance with Assault Weapon registration requirements. [33][34][35][36][37]

Most states that passed gun laws since the shooting, relaxed their gun laws [38][30] including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.[39]

Connecticut

In the early morning hours of April 4, 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly passed new restrictions to the state's existing assault weapons ban. Governor Dannel Malloy signed them into law later the same day.[40] The law also banned the sale or purchase of high-capacity magazines like those used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and required universal background checks (background checks on all gun purchases).[41]

Gun owners challenged the law, but federal judge Alfred Covello upheld the law, ruling it constitutional and writing, "While the act burdens the plaintiffs' Second Amendment rights, it is substantially related to the important governmental interest of public safety and crime control." Gun owners said they would appeal.[42]

References

  1. ^ Barron, James (December 15, 2012). "Children Were All Shot Multiple Times With a Semiautomatic, Officials Say". New York Times. New York Times Company. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Effron, Lauren (December 14, 2012). "Mass School Shootings: A History". ABC News. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  3. ^ Candiotti, Susan; Ford, Dana (December 16, 2012). "Connecticut school victims were shot multiple times". Cable News Network. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  4. ^ CNN Library (October 26, 2013). "25 Deadliest Mass Shootings in U.S. History Fast Facts". Cable News Network. Retrieved April 13, 2014. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ LaPierre, Wayne (December 21, 2012). "Remarks from the NRA press conference on Sandy Hook school shooting, delivered on Dec. 21, 2012 (Transcript)". Washington Post. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Barack Obama (December 14, 2012). President Obama Makes a Statement on the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut (video). Washington, D.C.: WhiteHouse.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  7. ^ Landler, Mark; Baker, Peter (December 16, 2012). "'These Tragedies Must End,' Obama Says". New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Wing, Nick (December 17, 2012). "White House Gun Control Petition Becomes Site's Most Popular Ever". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  9. ^ Levy, Gabrielle (December 21, 2012). "Obama responds to gun violence petition" (blog). United Press International. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  10. ^ Madhani, Aamer (December 26, 2012). "Gun control poll shows mixed results". USA Today. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  11. ^ Saad, Lydia (December 27, 2012). "Americans Want Stricter Gun Laws, Still Oppose Bans". gallup.com. Gallup Inc. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
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Further reading

External links

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