[b]In 1994 Congress passed a law to ban certain models of semiautomatic assault weapons as well as high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Immediately after the 1994 law was enacted, the gun industry moved quickly to make slight, cosmetic design changes in their "post-ban" guns to evade the law. Today, gunmakers openly boast of their ability to circumvent the assault weapons ban.
"The gun industry's open evasion of the assault weapons ban continues to place America's law enforcement officers at the highest possible risk. The assault weapons ban must not only be renewed, but also strengthened, to protect police and the public from an industry that places profits ahead of human lives," states Kristen Rand, VPC legislative director and study author. [/b]