Gladwell argues US assault-weapon ban bills focus on rifle features rather than the underlying platform

What was said

"I realize in talking to him that the problem with the with assault rifle bans is they don't ban assault rifles."

Malcolm Gladwell says that after discussing AR-15-style rifles with a North Carolina law professor and reading assault-weapon ban proposals, he concluded such bills often regulate external features and accessories rather than the modular firearm “platform” itself. He characterises this as political “pageantry” that is unlikely to affect gun violence.