WHAT? A bill has been introduced in U.S. Congress, called the Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2007, that would renew the federal AWB, which was originally passed by Congress and signed into law in 1994 and allowed to sunset by Congress in 2006. The bill would outlaw a number of rifles commonly used by hunters, including the AK-47, AR-15 and SKS, as well as any semiautomatic shotgun with a folding or telescoping stock.

NOTABLES: The bill was introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D — New York). It can be read in its entirety by clicking here. The number of the bill is H.R. 1022.

THE PROBLEM? Many of the weapons defined by the legislation as "assault weapons" are commonly used by hunters.

OUR POSITION: Rep. McCarthy's proposed legislation is clearly a violation of the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights as it regards to the right of law-abiding U.S. citizens to keep and bear arms. The legislation should be firmly opposed unless it can be amended in such a way as to not include any firearm used in the hunting or shooting sports industries.

ACTION? Contact Rep. McCarthy and your U.S. representative by clicking here. Join the NRA. Join the Gun Owners of America.

THE LATEST: The bill was introduced on February 13 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It does not yet have co-sponsors and does not have accompanying legislation in the U.S. Senate.