Sen. Carper Cosponsors Bill Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence

WASHINGTON – Today, on the first day for bills to be introduced in the 113th Congress, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) announced his intention to cosponsor legislation authored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) aimed at reducing gun violence. The bill, the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, would ban high-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds and is a component of the gun safety proposal put forth by President Obama and Vice President Biden. 

“I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but I also believe we must take common sense steps to reduce gun violence,” Sen. Carper said. “Last week, President Obama and Vice President Biden outlined a comprehensive list of straightforward proposals, including a reinstatement of the ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines that existed from 1994 through 2004. These military-style magazines have been used in mass shootings across the country to inflict unthinkable carnage. Most gun owners in Delaware and across the country support sensible gun safety measures. I believe this is one of them, and I’m proud to join Sen. Lautenberg and others in supporting it.”

The legislation would prohibit the manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines that have a capacity of, or could be readily converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition. From 1994 to 2004, these high-capacity magazines were illegal as part of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which has since expired. These magazines are currently legal to manufacture and sell under federal law. 

Other cosponsors include Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).