Latest News About Assault Weapons Ban Of 2013

Here’s a concise update on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (AWB 2013) and related recent coverage.

Direct answer

• There is no federal AWB of 2013 currently in effect. The 2013 proposal, introduced as S.150 by Senator Feinstein, was defeated in the Senate in April 2013. The ban that existed in 1994–2004 lapsed in 2004 and has not been renewed at the federal level since. Additionally, a 2024–2025 wave of reporting addressed court rulings on state-level bans, and new federal proposals to reinstate a nationwide AWB have circulated, but none have become law as of May 2026.[1][2][4][6]

Key context and recent developments

• State-level actions: Several states have enacted their own assault weapons bans or related prohibitions since 2013, and some have faced legal challenges that reached appellate courts. Notably, Maryland’s 2013 assault weapons ban (referenced in 2024 coverage) was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2024, signaling ongoing legal latitude for state-level bans under evolving constitutional tests. This demonstrates the continuing role of state policies in addressing perceived firearm risks, even after federal attempts stalled in 2013.[1]
• Federal landscape: After the 2013 defeat, subsequent federal efforts to enact a nationwide AWB have emerged periodically (including reintroduction attempts in 2024–2025). A 2025 press release notes reintroduction of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 by a group of Senators, aiming to prohibit sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of assault weapons and large magazines, but this is still a proposal and not law as of May 2026. Coverage from 2024–2025 also discusses the expiration of the federal ban in 2004 and the political dynamics around reauthorization efforts.[6][7][8]

What this means for your questions

• If you’re asking about current federal law: there is no active federal AWB from 2013. Any references to AWB 2013 relate to its historical introduction and ultimate defeat in 2013, not current law.[2]
• If you’re asking about state bans or legal status: several states have their own bans or prohibitions, and recent appellate decisions have upheld some of those state laws, indicating a diverging landscape between states and the federal level. For Maryland specifically, a 2024 appellate decision upheld the 2013 state ban, reinforcing that state-level bans can withstand constitutional challenges under the present standard.[1]
• If you’re looking for the latest, most granular updates: I can pull the newest articles or court decisions by date and summarize their outcomes and practical implications for enforcement, purchase eligibility, and legal challenges.

Would you like me to focus on:

• A timeline of federal AWB 2013 events and its defeat, with key votes and statements, or
• A snapshot of current state-level assault weapons bans and notable recent court rulings, or
• The status of any recent federal reintroduction efforts (e.g., the 2025 AWB) and what remains to become law?