Should the bill pass, city residents who already own an assault weapon would have 60 days after it becomes law to dispose of the weapon or remove it from the city limits.

The bill broadly defines assault weapons, but in an interview, Krewson summed them up as military-style weapons.

“Most people don't think assault weapons are essential to self-defense or hunting,” she said.

Any assault weapon carried or possessed after the ban takes effect would be subject to seizure and forfeiture by the city. Violating the law would carry a 90-day jail sentence and up to a $500 fine.

Krewson said the second bill, requiring all guns left in unattended vehicles to be locked in a secure container, is an attempt to cut down on the number of weapons stolen from cars and later used in violent crimes.

“There are law-abiding, good folks carrying guns in cars,” she said. “We just want them put into a locked box,” when the vehicle is unattended.

Krewson said city police estimate they seized more than 2,000 guns last year that were either possessed illegally or used in connection with a crime.

“As we know, most guns used in crimes were not bought by the perpetrator of that crime,” Krewson said.