Should Congress renew the ban on assault weapons? Unless renewed, the ban will expire in September. A Senator who voted for the 1994 ban, and one who voted against it, debate its value.

• Author: Feinstein, Dianne
• Position: Debate

YES The assault-weapons ban of 1994 outlawed the manufacture and importation of military-style weapons designed for one purpose--killing people. But if Congress does not take action, the ban will expire in September.

Recent data show that the assault-weapons ban is working. According to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the proportion of crimes committed with banned assault weapons has dropped 65.8 percent since 1995.

Renewing the assault-weapons ban would accomplish two important goals. First, this bill would make the 1994 ban permanent, prohibiting the manufacture of 19 types of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons. The bill would also protect the use of 670 hunting and recreational rifles and would preserve the right of law-enforcement officials to use and obtain semiautomatic assault weapons.

Second, the legislation would close a loophole in the 1994 law: Although the production of high-capacity ammunition clips is prohibited in the U.S., Americans can now import ones that are made abroad by foreign companies, which this legislation would prohibit.

The assault-weapons ban is supported by a broad coalition, including police organizations, over 100 mayors, teachers' unions, religious groups, and several major gun-safety advocacy organizations.

In October 2003, a poll found that 77 percent of likely voters supported renewing the ban. Let's pass this legislation mad ensure that military-style assault weapons are not allowed back on the streets of America.

--Senator Dianne Feinstein

Democrat of California

NO If a law is ineffective, should we make a special effort to keep it alive, or just let it die?

That's the question Congress will have to decide about renewing the assault-weapons ban. Although supporters of the ban want to renew and expand it to...