Michael J. Klein, MD

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart holds up photos of seized weapons as he testifies to the Illinois House Judiciary Committee in support of the state’s proposed assault weapon ban.

Yes, the 1994 federal assault weapons ban saved lives

The risk of a person in the U.S. dying in a mass shooting was 70% lower during the period of the assault weapons ban, which lasted from 1994 to 2004. Deaths from mass shootings fell and the increase in the annual number of incidents slowed down.

By Michael J. Klein, MD