Two more states joined the American states banning assault weapons in 2023, bringing the total number of states with bans to 10. There is no federal law prohibiting assault weapons, leaving each state to enact its own gun legislation. We can, however, look at data during the years of a federal ban against assault weapons that lasted from 1994 to 2004. Research has shown there were fewer mass shooting-related deaths during this time. So which are the 10 states in America banning assault weapons?
Using data compiled by Giffords Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 states that have banned assault-style weapons. In addition to regulating assault weapons, the 10 states on this list have all imposed a range of restrictions that widely expand on federal gun control policy. Across these states, additional firearm regulations include universal background checks, mandatory waiting periods, high-capacity magazine bans, and permit and licensing requirements. (These are the states with the strongest and weakest gun control policies.)
Why It Matters
Gun control has long been a hot-button issue in American politics, and it remains so today. According to a June 2024 report from public opinion research company Morning Consult, 59% of American voters cite gun policy as a very important issue for the upcoming presidential election. Lately, the gun policy debate has centered largely around assault weapons, which are proven to be far deadlier than other firearms in active shooter scenarios. While most of the country has adopted a hands-off approach to regulating assault weapons, several states enacted laws that effectively prohibit these military-style firearms.
California
- Year ban first went into effect: 1989
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, sale, gifting, transport, import
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership of weapon prior to the ban and subsequent registration
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with one or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Connecticut
- Year ban first went into effect: 1993, expanded in 2013
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, sale, gifting, transport, import
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership of weapon prior to bans with certification
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with one or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Delaware
- Year ban first went into effect: 2022
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, sale, transfer, receipt
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership prior to June 20, 2022, transfer to a family member
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with one or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Hawaii
- Year ban first went into effect: 1992
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, sale or other transfer, barter, trade, gift or acquisition
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership prior to July 1, 1992, and subsequent registration
- Assault weapon definitions: Firearms with two or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Pistols only
Illinois
- Year ban goes into effect: 2023
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, sale, import, deliver, purchase
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership prior to ban and registration before Jan. 1, 2024
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with some specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Maryland
- Year ban first went into effect: 1994, expanded in 2013
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, transport
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership and registration of assault pistol prior to Aug. 1, 1994, and lawful ownership of assault long gun before Oct. 1, 2013
- Assault weapon definitions: Firearms with two or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Massachusetts
- Year ban first went into effect: 1994
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, sale, transfer
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership prior to Sept. 13, 1994
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with one or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
New Jersey
- Year ban first went into effect: 1990
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, transport, shipping, selling, disposal of
- Exceptions to ban: Officially licensed owners, lawful ownership prior to May 1, 1990, with subsequent registration
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with some specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
New York
- Year ban first went into effect: 2013
- Assault weapon restrictions: Possession, manufacture, transport, disposal of
- Exceptions to ban: Lawful ownership prior to Jan. 15, 2013, registered before Jan. 15, 2014
- Assault weapon definitions: Firearms with one or more specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
Washington
- Year ban first went into effect: 2023
- Assault weapon restrictions: Sale, manufacture, import, distribution
- Exceptions to ban: Possession permitted for eligible residents, contingent on completion of safety training courses
- Assault weapon definitions: Specific models and firearms with some specific features
- Types of banned assault weapons: Rifles, shotguns, and pistols
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