Assault weapons as a public health hazard in the United States. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association

MOST of the scientific research relating to firearms and their effects on public health has concentrated on handguns. Despite the severity of the firearm problem in this country, and the wealth of publicity associated with it, more scientific investigation is needed on all firearm injuries¹and those due to special classes of guns like assault weapons. The purpose of this report is to review what is known about assault weapons and their impact on public health and to discuss legislation to restrict the sale and private ownership of assault weapons. This report adds to the information provided by Substitute Resolution 264 (A-89), Restriction of Assault Weapons, which states that "the AMA [American Medical Association] supports appropriate legislation that would restrict the sale and private ownership of large-clip, high-rate-of-fire automatic and semiautomatic firearms, or any weapon that is modified or redesigned to operate as a large-clip, high-rate-of-fire automatic or semiautomatic weapon."