Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993

See H.R.4296.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 7, 1993

Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer or possession of an assault weapon, with exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to recommend to the Congress that the definition of an assault weapon (as specified under this Act) be modified. Provides enhanced penalties for the use of an assault weapon during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) investigate and study the effect of this Act on violent and drug-related crime; and (2) evaluate the recreational and other noncriminal uses of assault weapons.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7] · D–MD

Committees

Judiciary Committee

17 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 5, 1994
See H.R.4296.
Apr 13, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Apr 7, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Apr 7, 1993
Introduced in House
Apr 7, 1993
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 7, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4296 · Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1706 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1706, 103rd Congress: Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1706

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-04-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1706/BILLS-103hr1706ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1706 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1706 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1706, 103rd Congress: Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1706

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-04-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1706/BILLS-103hr1706ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1706 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1706 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1706, 103rd Congress: Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1706

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-04-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1706/BILLS-103hr1706ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1706 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1706 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1706, 103rd Congress: Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1706

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-04-07.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1706/BILLS-103hr1706ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1706 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.