If a AWB or any other gun control bill passes senate, house and the almighty O, whats the soonest it could be brought up? what's the soonest it could take effect?
The 113th United States Congress is scheduled to convene on Jan. 3, 2013 and adjourns Jan. 3, 2015...It' could be anytime during that period, so specific dates for something becoming Law would be a guess.
Just understand how laws are created:
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A Bill is introduced by it's sponsor and submitted. It is taken, assigned a number and reprinted/distributed so every representative has a copy. The Bill then goes to Committee/Sub-committee where it is passed, revised, set aside (tabled), etc. If it is released, then it gets on the calendar to be heard/debated or whatnot. But if the Bill is undisputed or supported by greater than a 2/3 majority, they can push it through without much debate or amendment. Then it goes to the House floor where the bill is read 2-3 times and voted on (watch CSPAN

). If it receives a simple majority of votes, the Bill goes to the Senate. A Senator then introduces it...Committee, Revisions, Reprint, Floor, Debate, more Revisions, etc. (same as before). If passed, the Bill becomes an Act and heads off to the President. Once signed, it's Law.
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I'm sure I missed a few steps, but you get the general idea. It's a lengthy process. If by some freak aligning of the stars were to occur, where both Houses agree and a Bill is pushed through with no debate, amendment, or revision? It could be on the President's desk and signed by the end of January/beginning of February, but that is very unlikely to happen.
Then again, the President can take action and issue an Executive Order tomorrow. You just never know.