~ A similar law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994-2004 ~
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Keep Americans Safe Act (KASA) to reinstate a nationwide ban on the sale, transfer, possession, import, or manufacture of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives by Diana DeGette (D-CO), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Brad Schneider (D-IL).
“As we work to combat our nation’s gun violence crisis, banning high-capacity magazines is a crucial step toward combatting senseless acts of gun violence and protecting our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “Everyone deserves to live their lives free from the scourge of mass shootings and this commonsense legislation will help to keep dangerous, high-capacity magazines out of our communities and keep Americans safe.”
“This measure will save lives and greatly reduce the carnage of gun violence. Some of our nation’s most devastating mass killings have involved high capacity magazines, simply because they enable a shooter to fire more rounds more rapidly. Stopping the scourge of high capacity magazines would make all public places safer,” said Senator Blumenthal.
A federal law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994 to 2004. While research showed this regulation reduced the likelihood of mass shooting fatalities by 70 percent, this federal law has not been renewed since 2004. In mass shootings with four or more people killed between 2015 and 2022, high-capacity magazines led to more than twice as many people killed, and nearly 10 times as many people wounded, per incident on average.
Specifically, the Keep Americans Safe Act would:
“The common denominator in nearly every mass shooting is large-capacity magazines (LCMs), dangerous accessories that allow shooters to continuously fire without reloading, robbing victims of an opportunity to flee or intervene,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady: United Against Gun Violence. “Regardless if they are paired with handguns or assault weapons, when LCMs are used in shootings, 155% more people are shot and twice as many people are killed. Brady is grateful to Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Hirono, and Rep. DeGette for their leadership and is proud to endorse the Keep Americans Safe Act to regulate these dangerous accessories and make America safer.”
“High-capacity magazines enable shooters to cause devastating harm in a short amount of time and restricting them will help prevent mass shootings that have tragically become too common,” said Nick Wilson, Senior Director of gun violence prevention at Center for American Progress. “If enacted, the Keep Americans Safe Act would save lives because it is working in states who’ve adopted similar laws. When a mass shooting occurred, states with a large-capacity magazine ban had 38 percent fewer fatalities and 77 percent fewer nonfatal injuries.”
“High-capacity magazines were designed for war, but have become a favored tool for mass shooters looking to inflict maximum carnage,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Hirono for introducing this legislation, which will keep high-capacity magazines out of civilian hands.”
“Far too often our country must face the devastating impact of mass shootings, tragedies only made more deadly by high-capacity ammunition feeding devices," said Emma Brown, Executive Director of Giffords. "These devices don’t just make it easier to inflict harm—they enable a level of destruction that no community should have to face. This bill offers a clear solution: banning the sale, transfer, and possession of these dangerous devices. By passing this legislation, we can take a decisive step toward protecting our communities and preventing further tragedies. We thank Senator Hirono for her leadership on this important matter, and urge Congress to act swiftly.”
In addition to Senators Hirono and Blumenthal, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
The full text of the bill is available here.
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