House committee approves first assault weapons ban bill in decades

For the first time in two decades, a congressional panel has moved to prohibit the sale, transfer and possession of assault weapons in the United States.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2021 was advanced in a 25-18 vote but a date for a vote on the House floor has not been set. 

"As we have learned all too well in recent years, assault weapons — especially when combined with high-capacity magazines — are the weapon of choice for mass shootings," committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said during the bill’s markup. "These military-style weapons are designed to kill the most people in the shortest amount of time. Quite simply, there is no place for them on our streets."