Myth: Assault weapons are used in 16% of homicides

Fact: This figure was concocted to promote an “assault weapons” bill in New York. The classification scheme used encompassed most firearms sold in the U.S. since 1987 (center fire rifles and shotguns holding more than six cartridges, and handguns holding more than 10 rounds). By misclassifying “assault weapons”, they expanded the scope of a non-problem.

This is an excerpt from “Gun Facts” by Guy Smith, available free from http://www.gunfacts.info