


	WILLIAMS’ BILL TO ADDRESS CRITICAL GUN SAFETY ISSUE HARRISBURG, SEPT. 8 – State Sen. Connie Williams took aim at protecting law enforcement and the public from what could be a flood of assault weapons on the market when the federal assault weapon ban legislation expires on Sept. 13^th. Williams participated in a Harrisburg news conference organized by CeaseFire PA, who brought together various representatives of the law enforcement community to discuss their concern over the imminent expiration of the federal assault weapons ban. “In less than a week, criminals are going to have easier access to assault weapons and innocent people and law enforcement officers will become moving targets,” Williams said. “It is critical that we not only raise awareness to the issue of gun violence, but that we take action on a state level to protect the public – especially when it comes to banning assault weapons.” Williams introduced legislation (S.B. 1216) that would ban the possession, purchase, sale or otherwise transfer of assault weapons, or assault weapon conversion kits to non-military in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the legislation would close several loopholes that have allowed gun manufacturers to circumvent the federal ban. Under the current federal law, one manufacturer can take another’s design and simply put a new name on a weapon or change one small, inconsequential feature to successfully evade the ban. “We know that one out of five law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty are killed by an assault weapon,” Williams said. “This is a dramatic illustration of why it is not just necessary, but critical that a ban on assault weapons be reauthorized. And if it is allowed to expire in Washington, D.C., then every state should adopt the ban.” Both New York and New Jersey already have adopted similar legislation to ban the sale of assault weapons. Assault weapons, such as AK 47s, UZIs and standard guns altered with conversion kits, are capable of shooting 30, 50 and even 100 rounds without reloading.