Lawmaker: US Congress Must Reinstate Assault Weapons Ban

Florida, Rep. Alan Grayson claims that the United States must reinstate a ban on the purchase of assault weapons following the deadliest shooting in the country’s history over the weekend in the city of Orlando.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States must reinstate a ban on the purchase of assault weapons following the deadliest shooting in the country’s history over the weekend in the city of Orlando, Florida, Rep. Alan Grayson told Sputnik.

"I think it’s clear at this point that it’s far too easy to kill too many people too quickly," Grayson said on Tuesday.

Grayson said he will introduce a one-sentence bill in the US House of Representatives calling for the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban.

On Sunday, a shooter identified as 29-year old Omar Mateen opened fire in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people and injuring at least 53 others. Part of Orlando is within Grayson’s congressional district.

One of the firearms Mateen used in the massacre has been identified as an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle. The assault rifle was banned in the United States from 1994 until 2004.

Earlier on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama also called on Congress to reinstate the ban.

Grayson said he intends to introduce the bill after giving other lawmakers the opportunity to become original co-sponsors on the provision.