New legislation proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein in response to the Newtown, Conn., murders would provide a far more effective ban on military-style assault weapons than the loophole-riddled law that lapsed in 2004.
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The measure would not only outlaw the manufacture and sale of new semiautomatic rifles, handguns and shotguns with large ammunition feeds, but also mandate federal registration and background checks on the owners of millions of rapid-fire weapons that were sold legally after the old ban expired. This is a crucial element since the nation has been inundated with such firearms, like the one used by the Connecticut shooter.
Ms. Feinstein said her proposal, which will be the major gun control initiative for the incoming Congress, would close loopholes in defining what constitutes an assault weapon. The old assault weapons ban prohibited only firearms that had two or more military-style characteristics. That meant the ban could be skirted simply by eliminating a minor characteristic like a bayonet mount and flash suppressor. The measure would also ban fast-feeding ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
Ms. Feinstein would exempt hundreds of simpler hunting weapons from the proposed ban. But she said the measure should mandate financing to make sure stronger gun controls can be enforced, and possibly even include a gun buyback provision. This is the kind of approach needed if the nation is ever to come to grips with gun violence.
President Obama should rally support for tighter controls against the onslaught of opposition from the National Rifle Association. Ms. Feinstein has invited proposals from both sides of the aisle. Congress's gun-lobby loyalists cannot deny that assault weapons have enabled the multiple-victim homicides that no nation should have to endure.
This is part of a continuing series on the epidemic of gun violence and possible solutions. Other editorials are at nytimes.com/gunchallenge.
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