Bill would pay gun owners to turn assault weapons over to police

A proposed bill would provide up to $2,000 in tax credits for gun owners who choose to voluntarily turn their assault rifles over to their local police departments.

The Support Assault Firearm Elimination and Education of our (SAFER) Streets Act is expected to be reintroduced next week by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, The Hill reported.

“Assault weapons are not about hunting, or even self-defense,” the Connecticut Democrat said in a statement Monday. “There is no reason on earth, other than to kill as many people as possible in as short a time as possible, that anyone needs a gun designed for a battlefield.”

Ms. DeLauro emphasized that the bill is voluntary and would not force gun owners to turn in their firearms, The Hill reported.

She had originally introduced the bill just one month after the December 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, but the legislation fell short in the Republican-controlled House, The Hill reported.

“Just days after the Newtown tragedy, President Obama asked, ’Are we doing enough to protect our children?’ And he admitted the answer is, ’no.’ That must change,” Ms. DeLauro said. “The SAFER Streets Act is a common-sense, constructive step to help ensure such a tragedy will never happen again. This bill would get more assault weapons off the streets.”