Should the US Ban Assault Weapons?

2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SITE

Last updated on: 3/2/2020 1:45:47 PM PST

A 1994 federal law that banned assault weapons expired in 2004 and has not been renewed by Congress.

At least seven states have a version of an assault weapon ban, but no federal law currently exists.

Proponents of a ban assert that military-style weapons should not be in the hands of the public and taking them away would reduce violent crimes. Opponents of a ban contend the weapons fall under Second Amendment protection and that crimes are more often committed with weapons not covered by the ban.

Source: Meghan Keneally, "Understanding the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and Why It Ended," abcnews.go.com, Sep. 13, 2019

Pro

Biden

Hawkins

Con

Jorgensen

Trump

Not Clear or Not Found

Pro (Yes)

Pro

Biden
Democrat

"The bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that Biden, along with Senator Feinstein, secured in 1994 reduced the lethality of mass shootings...

As president, Biden will:

Ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines... While working to pass this legislation, Biden will also use his executive authority to ban the importation of assault weapons...

Biden will also institute a program to buy back weapons of war currently on our streets."

Source: Joe Biden, "The Biden Plan to End Our Gun Violence Epidemic," joebiden.com (accessed Feb. 18, 2020)

Pro

Hawkins
Green

"I defend the individual right of law-abiding citizens to own pistols, rifles, and shotguns for self-defense, hunting, and sport shooting while also supporting the public right to regulate the ownership and operation of guns in the interests of public safety.

I advocate the following specific gun safety and law enforcement reforms to address gun violence and white nationalist terrorism:

--Ban and buy back military assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks."

Source: Howie Hawkins, "How to Confront the US Culture of Violence," howiehawkins.us, Aug. 11, 2019

Con (No)

Con

Jorgensen
Libertarian

"I support the repeal of every law that violates your right to self-defense."

Source: Communication from the Jorgensen campaign to ProCon.org on Aug. 26, 2020

Now Con

Trump
Republican

"I certainly stand by my opposition to Gun Control when it comes to taking guns from law-abiding citizens. You mention that the media describes the AR-15 as an 'assault rifle,' which is one example of the many distortions they use to sell their agenda. However, the AR-15 does not fall under this category. Gun-banners are unfortunately preoccupied with the AR-15, magazine capacity, grips, and other aesthetics, precisely because of its popularity.

To the Left every gun is an assault weapon.

Gun control does not reduce crime. It has consistently failed to stop violence. Americans are entitled to protect their families, their property and themselves."

Source: Fredy Riehl, "Donald Trump Talks: Gun Control, Assault Weapons, Gun Free Zones & Self Defense," ammoland.com, July 7, 2015

[Editor's Note: Trump previously expressed a PRO opinion on this question. Read Trump's former position on whether assault weapons should be banned.]

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