Sounds more like Congress trying to cover their rears - they did let the assault weapons ban expire in 2004, and haven't made any meaningful move since then to reinstate it.
Big woop - just reinstate the assault weapons ban.
I'm more concerned with the one gent trying to make it a crime to say anything or show any symbol that might be construed as "hateful or threatening" to a member of Congress or a federal official. You'd have to lock up 3/4 of the adult population in that case.
OTOH, if that same law would apply to election campaign ads.....
