Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

See H.R.4296.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 29, 1993

Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) make it unlawful to transfer or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon; and (2) list weapons classified as semiautomatic assault weapons. Makes this Act inapplicable to the transfer or possession of a weapon: (1) by a Federal or State agency; (2) that was lawfully possessed before this Act's enactment or, in the case of a semiautomatic firearm designated as a semiautomatic assault weapon under this Act, before the designation is made; or (3) by a licensed manufacturer or importer for purposes of authorized testing or experimentation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to designate a rifle, pistol, or shotgun that is a semiautomatic firearm and meets specified criteria as a semiautomatic assault weapon. Requires the serial numbers of such weapons to clearly show if they were manufactured or imported after this Act's effective date.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Reynolds, Mel [D-IL-2] · D–IL

Committees

Judiciary Committee

13 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.
Oct 7, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice.
Sep 29, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Sep 29, 1993
Introduced in House
Sep 29, 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 · Sep 29, 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.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.3184 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.3184, 103rd Congress: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3184

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3184/BILLS-103hr3184ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:49Z. 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.3184 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.3184 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.

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Discuss H.R.3184, 103rd Congress: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3184

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3184/BILLS-103hr3184ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:49Z. 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.3184 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.3184 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.3184, 103rd Congress: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3184

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3184/BILLS-103hr3184ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:49Z. 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.3184 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.3184 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.

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Discuss H.R.3184, 103rd Congress: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3184

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-09-29.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr3184/BILLS-103hr3184ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:50:49Z. 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.3184 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.