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Polybius

(15,423 posts) Fri Dec 24, 2021, 04:30 PM Dec 2021

Question about the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban (10 year ban) [View all]

I remembered it being close, but looked it up and see that it passed 52-48. So now I have questions...

1) What was the Party breakdown? I'd be willing to bet it wasn't entirely on a Party line.

2) Why didn't anyone filibuster? I find that rather odd. Not even Jesse Helms?

3) Why was the ban for only 10 years? Did anyone want to make it permanent? I can't think of many bans with expiration dates on them.

18 replies

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Question about the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban (10 year ban) [View all] Polybius Dec 2021 OP

I was a kid when it passed, but from my limited understanding DetroitLegalBeagle Dec 2021 #1

The political price for the AWB was steep. PTWB Dec 2021 #3

It was part of the 1994 Crime Bill, which passed the Senate, 95 - 4 sl8 Dec 2021 #2

Here it says 52-48 Polybius Dec 2021 #4

Interesting sl8 Dec 2021 #5

I don't think so Polybius Dec 2021 #6

OK. n/t sl8 Dec 2021 #7

I think you were correct. PTWB Dec 2021 #9

This indicates it was 56 to 43 in favor of the AWB amendment. PTWB Dec 2021 #8

I think you're on the right track. sl8 Dec 2021 #10

Yes, I'm not sure what the confusion is. PTWB Dec 2021 #11

Interesting 4 no's Polybius Dec 2021 #13

That 56-4 vote in your link says "Vote Date: November 17, 1993" Polybius Dec 2021 #14

There are a lot of votes on major legislation. PTWB Dec 2021 #15

Thank you :) Polybius Dec 2021 #18

It certainly was contentious. sl8 Dec 2021 #16

In my memory, the bill accomplished very little actual accomplishment. Hangingon Dec 2021 #12

The AWB mainly dealt with cosmetic features and not actual lethality. Kaleva Dec 2021 #17