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S 653 103th Congress Senate

Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993

Official title: A bill to prohibit the transfer or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 25, 1993 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement AmmunitionAssault weaponsFirearms controlForeign Trade and International Finance
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This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 3, 1993
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Apr 29, 1993
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.
Mar 25, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 25, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3767-3768)
Mar 25, 1993
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action August 3, 1993

Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful to transfer or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon. Makes this Act inapplicable to the transfer or possession of a weapon: (1) by a Federal or State agency; (2) that was lawfully possessed before this Act's enactment or, in the case of a semiautomatic firearm designated as a semiautomatic assault weapon under this Act, before the designation is made; or (3) by a licensed manufacturer or importer for purposes of authorized testing or experimentation.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to designate a rifle, pistol, or shotgun that is a semiautomatic firearm and meets specified criteria as a semiautomatic assault weapon.

Makes it unlawful to transfer or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device except in connection with activities parallel to those listed for the possession or transfer of semiautomatic assault weapons.

Requires the serial numbers of such weapons or devices to clearly show if they were manufactured or imported after this Act's effective date.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 653: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-653/
MLA
"S. 653: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-653/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 653, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-653/.
Markdown link
[S. 653: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Violence Prevention Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-S-653/)
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