Candidates Confused on Gun Ban

Fox News ^ | November 19, 2003 | John R. Lott Jr.

[mykdsmom]

A new career awaits Democratic presidential candidates: offering advice to hunters.

Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Howard Dean explained his support for extending the assault weapons ban next year because

[longtermmemmory]

Now I want to go deer hunting with an ak-47.

[aught-6]

Great article. I was just doing a search in preparation of posting it, and you beat me to it!

Lott is one of the few level headed opinions in the RKBA debate. The AW ban is arbitrary, ineffective, and unconstitutional, and it should be thrown out!

[Still Thinking]

Someone please tell Dean 2A doesn't mention deer hunting.

[Joe Brower]

"The firing mechanisms in semi-automatic and machine guns are completely different. The entire firing mechanism of a semi-automatic gun has to be gutted and replaced to turn it into a machine gun."

What exactly is Lott talking about here? Is he correct? I think that some rifles that required the change or modification of just one part to make them fully automatic. What's the deal?

I hope that this email isn't ECHELON-bait. I'm just wondering if Lott isn't wrong here.

[Roughneck]

“I never contemplated hunting deer or anything else with an AK-47.”


What a MAROON! Not all guns are kept for hunting deer. Some, like mine, are used for home protection, or defending myself if FOREIGN ARMIES invade my country - an AK-47 would be perfect for that....guess that's what worries terrorist-loving democrats.

We have the right to bear arms ya bunch 'o democrats - and we will keep it!

[Blood of Tyrants]

I think that someone needs to explain the concept of "readily convertible" to Mr. Lott.

[longtermmemmory]

A fun response to gun grabbers. When they say gun "X" is only for killing people, I agree and ask them to repeat the model because thank to them I now want to buy one. The second amendment IS about the right to have the ability to kill people.

[M1Tanker]

I hate the term "Assault Rifle". It was allegedly coined by Hitler and since I want nothing to do with that Leftist/national socialist/racist/environmentalist wacko, I don't use it. Anyways, the term is a mis-nomer. You don't "assault" with just a rifle.... But since there are few leftists who have military experience (aside from shooting fake guns on Hollywierd sets), I can see how they would be confused...but I still don't forgive them for thier ignorance.

I have seen "Assault Guns". These are usually large cannons mounted on tracked vehicles that lack turrets and are used to support infantry formations.

At least there are some in the media who pursue truth in the firearms issue.

[Just another Joe]

Excellent article.
John Lott is one of the few notables that continues to fight for the RKBA.
Someone should really tell Dean that the 2^nd Amendment to the Constitution is not about hunting deer.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

My father had a Hi-Standard .22 target pistol that eventually turned itself into full auto. If I remember, he said the secondary sear had worn out.

Ten rounds in about one or two seconds. He considered it dangerous and put it somewhere. No idea what happened to it.

[Puppage]

Well, I know on a lot of rifles all that's needed is to shave down the sheer pin. That's the quick & ILLEGAL way.Baring that, he's correct....you would have to replace the entire mechanism.

[trebb]

What exactly is Lott talking about here? Is he correct? I think that some rifles that required the change or modification of just one part to make them fully automatic. What's the deal?

Depends on what you mean by automatic - some guns only require you to modify/file down the sear in order to go full auto, but they don't let you stop until the clip is empty or a jam occurs. Accidently did it with a Ruger .22 during my competition shooting days - filed the sear for a light touch and the second shot decided to suck the rest out after it. Have to admit the starter had his stuff together though; he just keyed the ike and said, "hold it, somebody went automatic."

[Sunshine Sister]

One little observation. Why are we worring about AK 47s when the terrorists are looking to set off nuclear devices. Don't we have our priorities just a tad out of order?

[Dan from Michigan]

There you go again confusing dems with the facts.....

[BCR #226]

"Well, I know on a lot of rifles all that's needed is to shave down the sheer pin. That's the quick & ILLEGAL way.Baring that, he's correct....you would have to replace the entire mechanism."

This is incorrect and dangerous. Only three rifles can be modified this way and by doing so, you create what is called a slam fire situation.

The anti's would love to have everyone believe your statement though...

Mike

[RLK]

"The firing mechanisms in semi-automatic and machine guns are completely different. The entire firing mechanism of a semi-automatic gun has to be gutted and replaced to turn it into a machine gun." What exactly is Lott talking about here? Is he correct? I think that some rifles that required the change or modification of just one part to make them fully automatic. What's the deal?

-------------------------------------

This is close to being true. There is a firing pin delay mechanism on fully automatic weapons that does not exist in semiautomatics. The difference in parts is simple. However, areas need to be machined out to accomodate the parts. In the M2 fully automatic 30 caliber carbine, there is one part critical to automatic firing. Take out that part and you have an M1 semi. However, there is no room in an M1 to place the part in without machining.

[facedown]

Depends on the gun. As gillman points out some guns can be converted by modification of certain existing parts. They are often not very "user-friendly", ie. they keep on firing even after you've let go of the trigger. Other firing mechanisms are much more complicated and it would actually be easier to just replace the innards.

IIRC the first "automatic" rifle was a tricked out lever action. Browning (?) rigged up a muzzleplate with a hole in it connected through some gizmos to the lever and the trigger. One pull emptied the weapon.

[Uncle Miltie]

"The .223-caliber ... is such a low-powered rifle that most states ban it even for deer hunting precisely because of its low power, too frequently wounding and not killing deer."

Just so. I'm on a Bambi hunt Friday (any un-antlered deer), and I will take my .270, as the .223 is not powerful enough to assuredly put Bambi steaks on the grill.

[Noumenon]

One little observation. Why are we worring about AK 47s when the terrorists are looking to set off nuclear devices. Don't we have our priorities just a tad out of order?

Not if those priorities include a docile and helpless public.