Modern sporting rifles (MSRs) have become more popular in the United States in recent years, leading to many intense debates about public safety and gun control. MSRs are very popular among competitors, hunters, and other U.S. citizens. These semi-automatic rifles can be configured for a wide array of applications and customizations. Between 2013 and 2022, over 32.9 million MSRs were manufactured in the U.S. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported that nearly 70% of MSRs in circulation since 1990 were sold in just the past 10 years.
MSRs are civilian firearms built on the platform of military rifles, like the AR-15 or AK-47. Controversial not only for their association with military applications, MSRs and other assault-style weapons have also emerged as a common denominator in mass shootings across the country. According to the gun control advocacy group Giffords Law Center, assault weapons were used to perpetrate each of the seven deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in the last decade. As such, many states have banned these weapons. (This is every state’s gun law grade.)
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 in the recent 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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