Vote Set On Assault Weapons Ban

House Republican leaders, fulfilling a longtime promise to the National Rifle Association, are set to vote Friday on repealing the ban on assault-style firearms.

Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chief author of the 1994 legislation that banned the weapons, described as “a sneak attack” the expedited scheduling of the vote announced by House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas.

Until Wednesday, the measure had not even been scheduled for action by the Rules Committee, which must act before a bill goes to the floor.

“This bill is headed straight to the floor faster than an Uzi’s bullet,” Schumer told the House.

The ban, part of the 1994 crime bill, took effect just months before Republicans gained control of Congress despite active lobbying against it by the NRA. Overturning it has been the association’s top legislative priority.