Congressman becomes first Republican to back assault weapons ban

A US congressman has become the first Republican to back a bill banning assault weapons.

Pete King, who represents New York, announced his support for the legislation in the wake of two devastating mass shootings in Ohio and Texas, both of which were carried out on 4 August.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 was first proposed in February and has since been co-sponsored by 200 Democrats.

Speaking to New York Daily News, Mr King said:

They are weapons of mass slaughter...I don’t see any need for them in everyday society.

I think the assault weapons ban is timely now, especially in view of the shooting in El Paso and Dayton.

The legislation would make it illegal "to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess" semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, both of which are frequently used to perpetrate mass shootings.

In Dayton, Ohio, a shooter took the lives of nine people and injured 27 others in just 30 seconds using such a weapon.

An advert by gun-maker Anderson Manufacturing for the weapon used in the atrocity markets it as "an orchestra of metal and hellfire" and the "sound freedom makes", Huffington Post reported.

Mr King has previously supported mandatory background checks on gun purchasers, according to The Hill. New York is one of 11 states to have such laws.

The February bill's creator, Dave Cicilline, shared his gratitude on Twitter - he was not alone.

HT Upworthy

More: Nine things banned in America that aren’t guns