Several U.S. Jewish groups are pushing Congress to renew the ban on assault weapons. At an interfaith press conference Thursday, Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, said Congress’ failure to renew the ban is “ensuring the tragic and violent deaths of an unknown number of Americans across this country.” Sammie Moshenberg, Washington director of the National Council for Jewish Women, said, “The idea of having these military-style assault weapons readily available in this country to extremist groups, many of whom target Jews and other minorities, is a very frightening thought.” The 10-year ban expires Monday, and Republican congressional leaders have said they do not expect renewal legislation to be voted on.
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