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TheBlaze Fact-Checks Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Anti-Gun Claims Made During Senate Committee Hearing

Feb. 27, 2013 5:45pm
Sen. Feinstein Claims U.S. Has Witnessed an Increased Number of Mass Shootings During Gun Control Hearing

With photos of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims in the background, Senate Judiciary Committee member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. speaks on on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. during the committee’s hearing on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. Credit: AP

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) made her case in favor of gun control during a packed hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The hearing was called to debate Feinstein’s proposed a ban on so-called “assault weapons.”

“Let me now describe the key features of our new legislation, the ‘Assault Weapons Ban of 2013,’” Feinstein said Wednesday. “The bill bans the sale, transfer, importation, and manufacturing of 157 specifically named semi-automatic assault weapons.”

She continued: “It also bans any other assault weapon, which is defined as a semi-automatic weapon that can accept a detachable magazine and has one military characteristic, such as a pistol grip, barrel shroud, or folding stock…These features were developed for military weapons to make them more effective and efficient at killing people in close-combat situations.”

Feinstein, with photos of Sandy Hook victims behind her, argued that the U.S. has “witnessed an increased number of these mass killings” and called semi-automatic “assault weapons” the one “common thread running through these mass shootings.” She says the gun ban is needed in order to prevent future tragedies.

“Sadly, [Newtown] is not an anomaly,” Feinstein said. “We have witnessed an increased number of these mass killings. The one common thread running through these mass shootings — from Aurora, Colorado, to Tucson, Arizona, to Blacksburg, Virginia — is that the gunman used a military-style semi-automatic assault weapon or a large capacity magazine to inflict unspeakable terror.”

But do the facts support Feinstein’s argument?

Let’s start with the claim that mass killings are on the rise in the United States. According to the Associated Press, those who study mass shootings say they are not becoming more common.

“There is no pattern, there is no increase,” says criminologist James Allen Fox of Boston’s Northeastern University, who has been studying the subject since the 1980s, spurred by a rash of mass shootings in post offices.

Grant Duwe, a criminologist with the Minnesota Department of Corrections who has written a history of mass murders in America, said that while mass shootings rose between the 1960s and the 1990s, they actually dropped in the 2000s. And mass killings actually reached their peak in 1929, according to his data. He estimates that there were 32 in the 1980s, 42 in the 1990s and 26 in the first decade of the century.

Chances of being killed in a mass shooting, he says, are probably no greater than being struck by lightning.

“Without minimizing the pain and suffering of the hundreds…who have been victimized in senseless attacks, the facts say clearly that [there] has been no increase in mass killings,” Fox wrote. When clusters of incidents occur close together, he added, that likely reflects a mixture of copycatting and coincidence.

Sen. Feinstein Claims U.S. Has Witnessed an Increased Number of Mass Shootings During Gun Control Hearing

(Source: Reason.com)

Many anti-gun advocates have noted that six of the 12 deadliest shootings in U.S. history have occurred since 2007, with the Newtown massacre ranking second on that list. However, mass killings, in fact, peaked in 1929.

Feinstein also argued that banning so-called “assault weapons” would help decrease mass shootings.

A study by the University of Pennsylvania concluded that the old assault weapons ban was undermined because it is difficult to define what an “assault weapon” actually is and there were already so many in circulation. The study also concluded that the law appeared to have little effect on gun violence overall, most likely because rifles are used in a small percentage of gun crimes.

Consider this, hands and feet, knifes, shotguns, and handguns all killed more people than rifles in 2010. According to FBI data, 358 people were killed by rifles that year, half that of people who were killed by “hands and feet.”

Sen. Feinstein Claims U.S. Has Witnessed an Increased Number of Mass Shootings During Gun Control Hearing

(Source: Washington Examiner/FBI)

Finally, Feinstein argued that semi-automatic “assault weapons” were the “common thread” in mass shootings. While Newtown shooter Adam Lanza reportedly used a semi-automatic rifle during his rampage, Aurora shooter James Holmes’ AR-15 reportedly jammed. Holmes also had two Glock pistols and a shotgun, according to reports.

Tucson shooter Jared Loughner reportedly used a Glock 19 pistol with an extended 30-round magazine. All magazines with more than 10 rounds would be banned under Feinstein’s bill.

These are just a few examples, however, to insist that only so-called “assault weapons” are used in mass shootings would not be accurate.

In a previous Blaze report, Jordan Hunter, director of marketing for Daniel Defense, said a semi-automatic rifle is not the weapon most commonly used in mass shootings.

“We tracked 62 mass shootings wherein 5 or more people were either shot or killed from the early 1980’s to now; 41 times pistols were used, 12 times shotguns or some type of hunting-style rifle was used, and 9 times semi-automatic rifles were used (14 percent),” Hunter told TheBlaze.

Overall, Feinstein’s claims — the basis of her gun ban — don’t appear to hold up under scrutiny.

However, it may be important to note that Sen. Feinstein’s bill refers to certain types of handguns and shotguns as “assault weapons.”

Take a look at the full list of weapons that would be banned under the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.”

Rifles: All AK types, including the following: AK, AK47, AK47S, AK–74, AKM, AKS, ARM, MAK90, MISR, NHM90, NHM91, Rock River Arms LAR–47, SA85, SA93, Vector Arms AK–47, VEPR, WASR–10, and WUM, IZHMASH Saiga AK, MAADI AK47 and ARM, Norinco 56S, 56S2, 84S, and 86S, Poly Technologies AK47 and AKS; All AR types, including the following: AR–10, AR–15, Armalite M15 22LR Carbine, Armalite M15–T, Barrett REC7, Beretta AR–70, Bushmaster ACR, Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster MOE series, Bushmaster XM15, Colt Match Target Rifles, DoubleStar AR rifles, DPMS Tactical Rifles, Heckler & Koch MR556, Olympic Arms, Remington R–15 rifles, Rock River Arms LAR–15, Sig Sauer SIG516 rifles, Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles, Stag Arms AR rifles, Sturm, Ruger & Co. SR556 rifles; Barrett M107A1; Barrett M82A1; Beretta CX4 Storm; Calico Liberty Series; CETME Sporter; Daewoo K–1, K–2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR 110C; Fabrique Nationale/FN Herstal FAL, LAR, 22 FNC, 308 Match, L1A1 Sporter, PS90, SCAR, and FS2000; Feather Industries AT–9; Galil Model AR and Model ARM; Hi-Point Carbine; HK–91, HK–93, HK–94, HK–PSG–1 and HK USC; Kel-Tec Sub–2000, SU–16, and RFB; SIG AMT, SIG PE–57, Sig Sauer SG 550, and Sig Sauer SG 551; Springfield Armory SAR–48; Steyr AUG; Sturm, Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rife M–14/20CF; All Thompson rifles, including the following: Thompson M1SB, Thompson T1100D, Thompson T150D, Thompson T1B, Thompson T1B100D, Thompson T1B50D, Thompson T1BSB, Thompson T1–C, Thompson T1D, Thompson T1SB, Thompson T5, Thompson T5100D, Thompson TM1, Thompson TM1C; UMAREX UZI Rifle; UZI Mini Carbine, UZI Model A Carbine, and UZI Model B Carbine; Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78; Vector Arms UZI Type; Weaver Arms Nighthawk; Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine.

Pistols: All AK–47 types, including the following: Centurion 39 AK pistol, Draco AK–47 pistol, HCR AK–47 pistol, IO Inc. Hellpup AK–47 pistol, Krinkov pistol, Mini Draco AK–47 pistol, Yugo Krebs Krink pistol; All AR–15 types, including the following: American Spirit AR–15 pistol, Bushmaster Carbon 15 pistol, DoubleStar Corporation AR pistol, DPMS AR–15 pistol, Olympic Arms AR–15 pistol, Rock River Arms LAR 15 pistol; Calico Liberty pistols; DSA SA58 PKP FAL pistol; Encom MP–9 and MP–45; Heckler & Koch model SP-89 pistol; Intratec AB–10, TEC–22 Scorpion, TEC–9, and TEC–DC9; Kel-Tec PLR 16 pistol; The following MAC types: MAC–10, MAC–11; Masterpiece Arms MPA A930 Mini Pistol, MPA460 Pistol, MPA Tactical Pistol, and MPA Mini Tactical Pistol; Military Armament Corp. Ingram M–11, Velocity Arms VMAC; Sig Sauer P556 pistol; Sites Spectre; All Thompson types, including the following: Thompson TA510D, Thompson TA5; All UZI types, including: Micro-UZI.

Shotguns: Franchi LAW–12 and SPAS 12; All IZHMASH Saiga 12 types, including the following: IZHMASH Saiga 12, IZHMASH Saiga 12S, IZHMASH Saiga 12S EXP–01, IZHMASH Saiga 12K, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–030, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–040 Taktika; Streetsweeper; Striker 12.

Belt-fed semiautomatic firearms: All belt-fed semiautomatic firearms including TNW M2HB.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Comments (320)

1 2 3 4 … 7
  • Shavager
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:40pm

    BULLITT2008–YOU ARE WRONG–I HOLD IN MY HANDS A LETTER FROM SENATOR DAN BURTON OF INDIANA WHO ADMITS–the ATF USED PYROTECHNIC TEAR GAS–HIGHLY FLAMMABLE TEAR GAS on those buildings in Waco. THEY were responsible for KILLING THOSE KIDS–their claims that those inside “committed suicide” don’t ring true–HOW MANY PEOPLE DID YOU SEE JUMP FROM THE WORLD TRADE CENTER BUILDINGS TO ESCAPE BURNING TO DEATH? Those inside that killed themselves did so to keep from burning to death in the conflagration started from that flammable tear gas. David Koresh and his attorney HAD AGREED TO A SURRENDER–Janet Reno and ATF VIOLATED THE AGREEMENT BASED ON “potential harm to children”–what could be worse than BURNING THEM TO DEATH? Local Sheriff told media and ATF he could’ve gotten Koresh ANY TIME THEY WANTED HIM–RAIDING the building was NOT necessary–and the ATF FIRED FIRST SHOTS, not Koresh or those with him.

    Report this comment

    Shavager  
  • nosharia
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:29pm

    The government is turning loose illegal aliens. Do they seriously think we are going to register our guns?

    Report this comment

    nosharia  
  • James
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 8:23pm

    I have a question that I have not been able to get a factual answer to. I would like to know FACTUALLY as to what kind of weapons Lanza actually used to murder the school children of Newtown, Conn. Please folks, my question goes directly to Sen. Feinstein’s AW Ban Agenda.
    I just want to know what the trueth is, so if anyone here who does have the facts or factually published/disclosed facts, then please comment on them, on here. It’s important to bring the facts forward.

    Report this comment

    James  
  • Rock_Moninoff
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:51pm

    DiFi is a cunning stunt.

    Report this comment

    Rock_Moninoff  
  • Vision Harry
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:15pm

    No reason to let the Facts ruin a perfectly Perjury

    Report this comment

    Vision Harry  
  • txgunhand
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:10pm

    only select fire weapons used by military and swat are assault weapons we need to get a legal ruling on the definition and get the word out

    Report this comment

    txgunhand  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:09pm

    As the meeting ended Senator Freakstein,was seen getting on her broom and flying to the space ship that was waiting for her with the press aboard so they could listen to her foolishness.

    Report this comment

    bikerdogred1  
  • txgunhand
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:07pm

    also if you read the bill real close glock pistols would be banned, because they have a select fire model the glock 18

    Report this comment

    txgunhand  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:07pm

    Well maybe the Old bag will get Infringed

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • LakeHartwellSailor
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:58pm

    She continued: “It also bans any other assault weapon, which is defined as a semi-automatic weapon that can accept a detachable magazine and has one military characteristic, such as a pistol grip, barrel shroud, or folding stock…These features were developed for military weapons to make them more effective and efficient at killing people in close-combat situations.”

    1. Detachable Magazine: Even if it only holds 10 rounds, what’s the difference from a 30 round magazine in terms of making it “more efficient”. THIS is a lead in to ban all weapons that accept magazines.

    2. Pistol Grip: Makes it easier to control the weapon. Perhaps so innocent people do not get shot in the event a firearm is required to save your life, or the lives of innocents in the vacenity if deadly force is required as a last resort?

    3. Barrel Shroud: This makes it more efficient as a tool for killing? First, a weapon is supposed to be a tool for killing. But more importantly, a barrel shroud prevents the person who is operating the weapon from BURNING THIER FREAKING HAND!

    4. Folding Stock: I don’t see how this makes it “more efficient”; what it does it makes it easier to utilize the weapon in close quarters….like my house, in the event their is an intruder in the home.

    What does Feinstein want? Weapons that just slap your a criminals wrist and say, DONT YOU DO THAT AGAIN?

    Report this comment

    LakeHartwellSailor  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:57pm

    Ca is at fault for fostering this Communist Bitch. Ca needs to be visited by 3 million real Americans frmm around the USA and do some cleansing of evil

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • ginge
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:57pm

    Questions: why did Chinese leader tell Obama to get rid of the guns? Could Obama administration be committing these massacres to further their goal of banning guns? Have you noticed the eyes of all these killers? Their bugged out wild eyes? Do you think these killers have things in common? do you wonder if they were given mind control substances? why is Obama so interested in mapping the brain and using deep brain stimulation on PTS soldiers? Do you think if he lies about sequester induced emergencies he would hesitate to kill young children to get what he wants? This man is capable of ANYTHING!

    Report this comment

    ginge  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:54pm

    We all know she’s wrong but for argument’s sake say she’s 100% correct,the second amendment trumps a progressive pustule POS lifetime politician.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:53pm

    This is how Liberal Communist like Witch face get control of people to have more power. This woman is more dangerous than a King Cobra or Bush master Snake. Hopefuly America has enough Guns left over to ward off any attack by Dumbo Gov tryanical agents. If not we will have to turn to IEDs of sorts and Molintov Cocktails and use them where ever needed. I am surprised Feinstein is still bravely walking the streets shooting off her Communist Mouth. Shes a double of Hitler but more Ugly……

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • AK-Armory
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:48pm

    My “unnecessary pleasure” is making fun of ********

    Report this comment

    AK-Armory  
  • brigott
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:47pm

    What are “knifes”?

    Report this comment

    brigott  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:43pm

    62 events out of 300 million people does not sound like a call to action, it sounds like Americans have violence quite under control, despite the interference of politicians and their creation of gun free zones. Obviously 60,000+ deaths in Mexico are not averaged out per hour (aprx 7?) but we see that drug cartels under the watchful eye of a apathetic police force to frightened to act, are able to attack unarmed civilians in mass shootings on a regular basis?

    No Sen. Feinstein, you are not above the law, your secret clearance does not give you the right trample on the civil rights of civilians who have a right to bear (own and use) weapons purchased legally in the past, to do so in the future. You fail to mention a common thread impossible to over look, gun free zones were involved?

    You want to go above top secret discussions? Lets put restrictions on income tax refunds, and make it impossible for that money to be given to drug lords? You want a tax credit, fine, fill out the paperwork, the government will write a check for the thing that you need, not turn around and give you cash so you can give it to the drug cartels?

    Or get with the medical community and figure out how to make the stuff legal without being childish about it? Americans are tired of being “waterboarded” by the press and Democrats with these phony arguments every time they turn on the TV or the internet? Pass a budget, that’s your job?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • rickroland
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:41pm

    I do distinctly do not recall the U.S. Constitution giving the Federal government the power to ban arms, in fact, it does quite the opposite “… shall not be infringed.” comes to mind.

    Report this comment

    rickroland  
  • shogun459
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:38pm

    And you think they will stop with weapons bans.
    Communists like her will not be happy untill everyone that disagrees with them is dead or in a camp dying.

    Report this comment

    shogun459  
  • RDavis49
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:37pm

    I maintain that the Newtown School shooting was an Obama Administration induced assault to launch their final push on gun control. Ever have one of those feeling where you just know deep inside that there’s something much more to the story than just a crazed shooter? What better platform to launch their push than the murder of a bunch of innocent children. These are people who master lying for a living and they’ll stoop to any low to get their agenda pushed through, we’ve already seen that in this administration. Don’t be so trusting of these people, they’re evil and wicked people. The Democrat Party “IS” the socialist/communist party of America in action and they’re pushing hard to accomplish their goals and insert socialism in America. Read the 1958 book called “The Naked Communist” and you’ll see it as plane as day. Feinstein is nothing but a “USEFUL IDIOT” for this administration and she’s to stupid to realize she’s being used by the communist.

    Report this comment

    RDavis49  
  • MarioSmario
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:36pm

    Feinstein’s political ideology rests on sentimentality as the poster behind her proves. It’s all about what “flanks” you these days when you give speeches rather than the actual substance of your speech. But what’s sad is, the American public swallows it whole.

    Report this comment

    MarioSmario  
  • Guitar Master
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:31pm

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    From THE REPORTER
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    How can the parents of those kids slain at Sandy Hook allow the pictures of their kids to be used as propaganda by the anti-American Senator Feinstein and the rest of her cronies? They are being used in an opportunistic fashion since Feinstein had this bill written well before the Newtown killings.

    It doesn’t matter whether those parents are for, or against gun control, they are being used by the elite plain and simple. If I were a parent or family member of one of the victims I’d be raging mad as h-ll about this travesty. Sorry to have to say this but shame on them for not speaking out against these barbarians who would do such a despicable thing.

    Report this comment

    Guitar Master  
  • Roadbeer
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:28pm

    Were it not for a gun (and Twinkies), Sen. Feinstein would probably have languished in political obscurity on the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco. She should be more grateful.

    I’ve been voting against this person my entire adult life, unfortunately I live in a state entirely people with morons.

    Report this comment

    Roadbeer  
  • jagr1850
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:27pm

    feinstien owns a gun, that makes her pro-gun……she must recuse herself from the subject and bill for being pro-gun and a moron…..if you own a slave you are pro slavery….

    Report this comment

    jagr1850  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:26pm

    People of Commiefornia why do you insist on inflicting that vile progressive pustule POS on this once great republic? Do you know or even care how many men have died defending our constitution and this poor excuse for a human being has been attacking our rights since she’s been in office? People who support that lifetime politician are enemies of freedom,simple as that.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
    • Bullitt2008
      Posted on February 27, 2013 at 6:59pm

      @PS I’ve lived in CA all my life and just don’t get it. Guessing that many have been spoiled by the CA politicians who have given the farm away. Those who voted in the Bullet Train debacle and an increase in CA state sales taxes recently are out of their minds. Although not a real tax haven, we will be moving to Arizona in a few years.

      Report this comment

      Bullitt2008  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on February 27, 2013 at 7:04pm

      I’m glad you’re going to be able to escape the collectivist pigs in commiefornia.

      Report this comment

      progressiveslayer  
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