Police commissioner joins call for assault-weapons ban

Philly.com / Philadelphia Inquirer Online ^ | 4/2/2004

[dirtboy]

Hoisting a rubber imitation of an assault rifle yesterday in the lobby of Police Headquarters, Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson made a point: "There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

Johnson joined several state representatives, a half-dozen mothers of murder victims, and others at a news conference calling for the reauthorization of the federal assault-weapons ban set to expire Sept. 13 unless Congress acts to renew it. Should the federal ban "sunset," some state lawmakers hope to pass a bill introduced in Harrisburg last month that would restrict assault weapons.

"I support this legislation 1,000 percent. They're not only shooting citizens. They're shooting police officers. Anything I can do, anything law enforcement can do, we're totally and completely for it," Johnson said.

Rep. T.J. Rooney (D., Northampton), one of those behind the bill introduced March 17, said at the news conference: "The prospect of the federal assault-weapons ban sunsetting is something that I think should concern, and does concern, the vast majority of Pennsylvanians throughout the commonwealth."

[dirtboy]

"There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

Have at the idiot police commissioner, folks.

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[DBrow]

Of course, without the flash hider, it becomes a DCM rifle used by solid citizens every weekend for competitions.

[ahayes]

Well, actually, my dad has one and it's pretty good for shooting at paper plates with. If I really wanted to kill someone I think I'd go for a 12 gauge in spite of the "assault" rifle's madly dangerous pistol grip.

To give a rather graphic illustration, I could tart up his wife with cheap makeup and a miniskirt, but I don't think he'd agree then that she was just useful as a whore. Appearances aren't everything.

[BenLurkin]

Killing another human being may very well be the right thing to do, Commissioner.

Our homes, our families, our liberty are ours to defend - both as a Constituional matter and as a God given right.

Sheesh, reminds me of Commissioner Gorden - "Better call Batman!"

[Flyer]

"There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

That's the history of firearms. Duck hunting was just a fringe benefit.

[Husker24]

They pulled my post for that?......geesh

[from occupied ga]

Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson made a point

He stated an opinion, his own personal opinion as a cowardly bureaucrat. Not the same as making a point.

Where are all the jackboot lickers who usually infest FR to say, "The police are on our side?"

[from occupied ga]

That was quick. I didn't even get to see it.

[ahayes]

Maybe they were aiming at mine and missed. ;-)

[muawiyah]

We'd all be safer if the Philadelphia police were disarmed, had no helicopters, and had been told clearly and distinctly that they had no jurisdiction over planning and zoning.

So, what did that police guy have to say about bombing out folks who have poop in their lawn?

[Puppage]

"There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

REALLY? Then mine must be broken because it's been sit'n around for years & hasn't killed anyone.

[dirtboy]

REALLY? Then mine must be broken because it's been sit'n around for years & hasn't killed anyone.

Just you wait. One day when you're not paying attention it'll sneak into your SUV and they'll both go down and slaughter innocents in Philly. The drugs, crime, welfare, corruption and crappy public schools have nothing to do with it.

[Kenton]

"There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

It's ironic, but the only reason I bought my AR-15 was because Clinton was in office and he and his like-minded cronies were trying to tell me I shouldn't be allowed to have one.

Haven't used it to kill any humans, but it works great on groundhogs...

[Puppage]

Ted Kennedy has killed more people than all my guns...COMBINED.

[freedomcrusader]

Hoisting a rubber imitation of an assault rifle yesterday in the lobby of Police Headquarters, Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson made a point: "There's no reason to have this type of weapon other than to kill a human being."

LOL! Now they want to ban rubber imitations of "assault" rifles? It's true, there's no such thing as an all-plastic gun, but rubber...

[dirtboy]

When rubber guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have rubbers, or something like that.

[af_vet_1981]

By definition the police are on "our side."

[from occupied ga]

By definition the police are on "our side."

I knew you could be counted on :-)