On 14 September 2004, the US Federal Assault Weapons Act expired. The 1994 Act banned certain kinds of military-style assault guns, including Uzis and AK-47s. Now that the ban has ended, Americans should be ready to see these weapons and others like them back on their streets.

Gun death rates have dropped steadily by a third since the assault gun ban was introduced, from 15 deaths per 100,000 population in 1994 to just under 10 deaths per 100,000 population in 2002 (the latest figures). There has been a 66% drop in the criminal use of the banned guns and a 45% drop in the criminal use of all high-powered assault guns.

President Bush stated his support for the assault gun ban in public, but in the end he declined to promote a renewal of a ban that is supported by a majority of the American public, including 64% of gun owners. The Senate voted 52-47 in March to extend the ban, but senators later defeated the bill it was attached to. IANSA members in the US have accused President Bush of breaking his promise by letting the ban expire.