Don’t know how many here remember Cong Pete McCloskey. Former Marine officer.After the rash of handgun shootings like the assassination.of RFK, the attemped assassination of Wallace and other hi profile shootings there was a movement to ban handguns which McCloskey supported. On a talk show the host asked him about home defense. He urged people to buy shotguns. The host followed up by asking whether a woman would be able to really use a 12 gauge. McCloskey responded that a woman would easily be able to use an M1 Carbine to defend herself at home. Try buying a Carbine in New York State today.
I remember those days. The first lie was in 1962 when Thomas J Dodd and Emanuel Cellar called for handgun only registration. “Long guns will not be affected!” they said.
Then came the call for All gun registration.
Then bans on foreign handguns and 5 shot bolt action rifles.
then bans on “Saturday night specials”.
Then bans on ALL handguns.
And again, 1981, handgun bans ..”Rifles and shotguns will not be affected.”
Then in 1986 came the call for rifle bans.
The ultimate goal has always been a total ban on gun ownership by the citizens, one little nibble at a time.