Press Release: Federal Assault Weapons Ban Introduced in U.S. Senate in Wake of Deadly Mass Shootings

Following the tragedies in Monterey Park, CA; Half Moon Bay, CA; Baton Rouge, LA and elsewhere, federal lawmakers urged to support proven measure to reduce mass shooting fatalities

JANUARY 24, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) – Late yesterday Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S.25, the Assault Weapons Ban, in the U.S. Senate, giving new life to the policy which is proven to reduce mass shooting fatalities by nearly 70 percent. There is widespread support among Americans for a nationwide ban on assault weapons, particularly after 2022 saw a horrifying string of mass shootings using assault weapons, like those in Uvalde, TX, Buffalo, NY and Highland Park, IL. The proposed legislation comes days after the Monterey Park, CA shooting which killed ten people at a Lunar New Year celebration and the same day a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay, CA killed seven.

“The United States is the only country in the world with a mass shooting epidemic,” said Kitty Brandtner, gun violence prevention advocate and founder of March Fourth. “Despite our country’s resources, we wake up every day and agree to allow mass shootings to continue through collective inaction. We know a federal assault weapons ban will save lives and we urge our elected officials to pass this bill immediately.”

In the last 10 years, the number of mass shootings per year has doubled and firearm-related injuries are now the leading cause of death in children, surpassing motor vehicle accidents for the first time in decades. In 2023, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year thus far.

In July 2022, the Assault Weapons Ban was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. This came just weeks after the Highland Park, IL Fourth of July parade shooting which left seven dead, dozens injured and countless traumatized. The companion bill in the Senate, which had 40 cosponsors, was never scheduled for a vote.

Today marks eight months since the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX and Valentine’s Day will mark five years since 17 people were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. March Fourth is committed to ensuring that 2023 is the year that Congress takes meaningful action to prevent future mass shootings, by passing a federal assault weapons ban.

“Without Congressional intervention, Americans are completely powerless to prevent tragedies like those we saw over the weekend,” continued Brandtner. “We thank Sen. Feinstein for being an unwavering advocate for safer communities, and for continuing to urge her colleagues to support this proven effort to keep us safe.”

Media Contact: media@wemarchfourth.org