WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three federal gun-control bills introduced Tuesday would help prevent such violence as the Tucson attack that left six dead and 14 injured, according to the New Jersey Democratic senators sponsoring the package. One bill, called the “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act,” would prohibit the manufacture and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10...
Firearms seized in a criminal case sit on the floor of Hunterdon County Superior Court Judge Stephen Rubin's courtroom in this 2010 file photo. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three federal gun-control bills introduced Tuesday would help prevent such violence as the Tucson attack that left six dead and 14 injured, according to the New Jersey Democratic senators sponsoring the package.
One bill, called the “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act,” would prohibit the manufacture and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Such a ban existed until 2004, when it was not renewed by Congress.
Two other measures would close dangerous loopholes, according to Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the primary sponsor, and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), a co-sponsor.
The “Gun Show Background Check Act” would require such sellers to complete the same background inquiries as those run by gun dealers. The “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Criminals Act” would allow the Attorney General’s Office to prevent firearm or explosive purchases by individuals who are on terrorist watch lists.
Lautenberg’s office cited a Government Accountability Office report that identified 1,119 instances in which those on terror lists bought guns or explosives. The statistics covered six years starting in February 2004.
“Congress has a responsibility to enact common-sense reforms that will keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and terrorists, and prevent another massacre like the one we saw in Tucson,” Lautenberg said in a statement.
Lautenberg has unsuccessfully sponsored the gun-show bill at least twice in the past. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., introduced an identical House version of the large-capacity magazines legislation last week.
The bills’ sponsors are all Democrats. The legislation has the support of nonpartisan Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The National Rifle Association has criticized Lautenberg’s gun-show proposal in the past, saying it was overly broad and potentially an invasion of privacy.
Brian Swarz, an NRA representative for New Jersey, did not immediately return a phone call and e-mail for comment. Scott L. Bach, president of the NRA-sponsored Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, did not reply to an e-mail.
Jared L. Loughner, the 22-year-old who has been charged in the Arizona shootings, legally purchased his Glock pistol from a retailer and his ammunition from a Walmart, investigators say. He is accused of opening fire at a meet-and-greet organized by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., on Jan. 8.
The carnage could have been greater: Loughner was trying to attach a second high-capacity clip when he was tackled and held by witnesses, authorities say.
“There is no legitimate reason for civilians to have 30-round magazines,” Paul Helmke, president of the Brady organization, said in a statement. “We have only a few federal gun laws on the books, and even those have loopholes which allow dangerous people to get firearms all too easily.”