HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-21-2004-6aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 21, 2004
Action Agenda
Item No. lp ' q
SUBJECT: Resolution Requesting Congress and the President of the United States of
America to Reauthorize the Federal Assault Weapon Ban
DEPARTMENT: BOCC PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution Requesting Reauthorization
of the Federal Assault Weapon Ban
9/10/04 USA Toda,yArticle
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, 245-2130
Lindy Pendergrass, 245-2900
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution requesting Congress and the President to reauthorize the
ban on assault weapons,
BACKGROUND: On September 13, 1994, the United States Congress adopted a federal ban
on assault weapons. The law prohibited the manufacture, transfer and possession of 19 named
assault weapons, and copies or duplicates of those weapons, and any semi-automatic firearm
with at least two specified military features and the ability to accept detachable ammunition
magazines, The 10-year sunset provision on the ban expired on September 13, 2004,
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Nane
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution
and authorize the Chair to sign,
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION REQUESTING CONGRESS ANA THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA TO REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL ASSAULT WEAPON BAN
WHEREAS, assault weapons are military-style firearms designed to allow rapid and accurate spray
firing to kill a large number of people in a short period of time; and
WHEREAS, assault weapons are the firearms of choice for criminals and terrorists, at a time when
terrorist threats and deeds have compromised the security of the citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the judgment of our lawmakers is in question in making it easier to acquire assault
weapons; and
WHEREAS, assault weapons have been used in mass shootings including the Apri120, 1999
massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, which left 1.3 dead and 2.3 wounded and also the
2002 sniper attacks in the Washington, D.C.. area, which left 10 dead and tluee wounded; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Sheriff s Department supports the ban, acknowledging assault
weapons tlueaten the safety of America's law enforcement officers, having been used to kill one in
Five officers slain in the line of duty between 1998 and 2001, according the FBI statistics; and
WHEREAS, the federal assault weapon ban (18 U.S.C.. - 921 et seg..), which expired on September
1.3, 2004, prohibited the manufacture, transfer and possession of'semi-automatic assault weapons
and the transfer and possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (i.e., those capable of
holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition) and any semi-automatic firearm with at least two
specific military features including flash suppressors and folding stocks and the ability to accept a
detachable magazine;and
WHEREAS, assault-style firearms banned under the 19941aw, which has expired, include several
versions of assault pistols based on the MAC-10, Sheet Sweeper-revolving cylinder semiautomatic
shotgun, and the AR-15 based on the U,S. military's M-16; and
WHEREAS, the federal ban does not affect fireazms designed for hunting and legitimate sporting
uses;
NOW, THEREFORE, SE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
urges Congress and President Bush to reauthorize a Federal Assault Weapon Ban.
This 21s` day of September 2004..
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners