John Dingell: “I rise in opposition to H.R. 4296. This bill bans a class of commonly owned firearms based on technology that has been…”

“I rise in opposition to H.R. 4296. This bill bans a class of commonly owned firearms based on technology that has been in use for more than a century. We know about the 19 weapons banned by the bill. We also know about the 670 hunting and recreational rifles and shotguns specifically exempted by the bill. But let us look at all the facts: First, 585 of the 670 firearms "protected" by the bill are not semiautomatics. They are bolt and slide action weapons that have noting to do with the substance of this bill. For what purposes are those 585 guns listed, and why are only currently manufactured makes and models listed? Second, the vast majority of semiautomatic handguns certainly do not have the assault features listed in the bill--but not one handgun is protected under the bill. Third, the gentleman from New York says his bill would not affect sporting guns. That is contradicted by ATF Director John Magaw who told our colleagues in the other body that the Springfield M1A would be affected. That rifle is the most popular rifle used by high power target shooters in matches, including the National Matches, which were established by Congress in 1903. Fourth, ammunition magazines holding over 10 bullets would be treated as banned and treated as "firearm" in the bill, but we are told magazines manufactured prior to enactment of this bill would be grandfathered.…”