New Esty Bill Calls For Ban Of High-Capacity Magazines

WASHINGTON, DC ― Nearly two weeks removed from the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, who represents Newtown, will introduce legislation regarding high-capacity magazines, according to a statement. Esty will introduce the bill alongside fellow democrats at 1 p.m. in Washington Thursday.

"My colleagues & I will not wait until the next mass shooting to act," Esty tweeted Wednesday.

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Entitled the Keep Americans Safe Act, the legislation would prohibit the transfer, importation or possession of ammunition magazines able to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Esty will be joined by representatives of communities touched by mass shootings, including Nevada and Florida.

Those legislators include Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Rueben Kihuen (D-NV) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL).

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High-capacity magazines have been widely used in mass shootings, including the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Gunman Adam Lanza used numerous 30-round magazines for a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle.

While no sweeping legislation was passed following the Newtown shooting, several gun groups nationwide recently supported a review of gun accessories such as bump stocks. Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock used weapons equipped with bump stocks to kill 59 and injure over 500 people at a country music concet in Las Vegas.

Both the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation called for a review aftermarket trigger activation devices last week. Just days before the Las Vegas shooting however, the NRA filed an amicus brief asking the supreme court to review a ban of high-capacity magazines in Maryland.

You can follow along with Esty's announcement via Facebook.

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