Washington Week with The Atlantic

From the Vault: Debating the Assault Weapons Ban in 2004

Clip: Season 2004 | 4m 48s

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown one-year ago renewed debate about gun control, but legislation requiring background checks on gun purchases failed to pass the Senate. In 2004, as the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was set to expire, Congress debated renewing the ban on semiautomatic rifles.Gebe Martinez of The Houston Chronicle explained why Congress chose to let the 10-year ban expire.

Aired: 09/09/04

Rating: NR

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10 big stories Washington Week covered

Celebrating 50 Years

10 big stories Washington Week covered

Washington Week came on the air February 23, 1967. In the 50 years that followed, we covered a lot of history-making events. Read up on 10 of the biggest stories Washington Week covered in its first 50 years.

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