Let's take a deep breath in the `assault weapons' ban dispute

Fort Wayne News-Sentinel ^ | 11 August 2004 | J. R. Labbe

[joesnuffy]

Ted Kennedy's car has killed more innocent human beings than any 'assault rifle' I have ever owned or any 'AW's my family and friends have ever owned....

Psssst not to mention these aren't really Assault rifles anyway but semi auto copies... made to resemble (superficially) those types of military arms...

Pretty much the same as your semi auto deer, 22 LR plinkers, or semi auto fowling pieces and trap and skeet shotguns....with some cosmetic furniture changes...

[Eastbound]

"The provision that banned "high-capacity" ammunition magazines is also scheduled to expire Sept. 13, although the House bill calling for the ban's extension does not mention high-capacity magazines."

Could you re-phrase this sentence. I'm not sure what you are saying. I wasn't aware that there was a House Bill calling for an extension, nor what the extension is supposed to ban. Thanks.

[TexasCowboy]

"Some of them view extending the ban as a step toward more restrictive gun laws that might next target that trusty ol' deer rifle - which operates exactly like those dreaded "assault weapons."'

And they're exactly right!

[A Jovial Cad]

This idiotic law is finally going into the dustbin come September--and good riddance. I can't wait to hear the Feinstein/Schumer/Brady crowd howl with rage when their smarmy little pet law expires, either.

[Conservative4Life]

I will always vote to protect the 2nd Amendment, because I firmly believe if it were not for the 2nd Amendment we would have none at all.
Why would we disarm ourselves for the enemy anyway? (check out this post...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1189488/posts ) The other argument I have given with some union members (employees that work for me) is that I will give up my 2nd Amendment right when they give up their 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th.... none has taken me up on it.

[Better Dead Than Red]

The way I understand it. The "Assualt Weapons" ban did ban some firearms based on whether or not that had certain cosmetic features, and the bill also banned the production or import of higher capacity magazines for both rifles and handguns (i.e. no more 15 round mags to replace the original 7 round ones for your M-1911). And the way I read this article the new bill would uphold the weapons ban but doesn't mention the magazines.

[philomath]

These firearms were classified by how they looked and not by how they operate. Cosmetic and ergonomic features like telescoping stocks, bayonet lugs, pistol grips and flash suppressors that give the firearms a military-style appearance were banned even though they are mechanically indistinguishable from traditional sporting rifles.

Finally a clear-headed assessment of the issue. I agree that the law is a stalking horse for a long-rifle ban: see, your deer rifle is just like those nasty "assault rifles" and it's gotta go too.

[45Auto]

I think there are two versions of an AW renewal - the Senate version, authored by that paragon of liberty, the dishonorable Senatrix from California, Dianne Feinstein (nee Feinswine),and the House version, authored by that lunatic, Rep. McCarthy (C -NY), which is much more than a mere reauthorization of the current ban - it is one that bans a whole lot more.

[neverdem]

BTTT

[Charles Martel]

I'll have to prowl some gun-related message boards tonight... I find it very hard to believe that the anti-gunners are not pushing for a renewed ban on standard-capacity magazine production.

Last I heard, they were whining because we'd found the loophole permitting pre-ban mags (+10 rounds) to be imported (which they didn't think to ban, and over which BATF technically has no authority).

[Better Dead Than Red]

I have to ask this because I consider myself a gun enthusiast who doesn't have any (yet). I know Eugene Stoner designed a sharp-shooting rifle called the SR-25 that looks (at least to the unknowledgable) very much like the M-16. Is the SR-25 covered by the current ban?

[Spok]

The Dems want the extension of the ban to get to Bush, where he'd have to sign it or go back on his word-either way, they're smilin'. It's all electioneering and has nothing to do with anyone's real belief that the ban has done, or would do, anything in terms of public safety. It's a wedge issue. Period.

[45Auto]

The SR 25 and the AR 10 are both covered as far as certain features vis a vis the Federal ban; the AR 10 can be legally obtained (except in California)as a post ban model. I don't know if the SR 25 was ever offered in a post ban configuration. You could contact Knights Armament in Florida and ask them.

[Better Dead Than Red]

You are right. Isn't it nice how the Dems can do these things in the name of public safety, but if Massachusetts and the mayor of San Fransisco authorize gay marriage and we have to react to stand up against the destruction of the nuclear family somehow it is conservatives who are using horrible wedge issues.

[45Auto]

Actually, I bought an SR 25 post ban model in 1994, legally, in California. So, if you want to spend the money you can probably order one through your local FFL dealer. The damn things have always been expensive. I see that Bushmaster in now offering a .308 AR 10 clone; you might check them out. The Bushmaster uses readily available FN FAL magazines, whereas the AR 10 uses converted M1A mags and the SR 25 uses the original AR 10 mags (not the 'waffle' mags, but a straight side mag that locks up like the 'waffle' mags.)None of the three mags/rifles are interchangable , a real pain in the butt. I did build a custom upper for my SR 25 using an AR 10 upper receiver. There were a few minor fitting alterations required, but it works well.

45Auto

[Eastbound]

Thanks for the info.

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Los Angeles outlawed, or were trying to outlaw, 50 caliber long range rifles such as the Barrett. I guess they were worried that some gang-banger was going to sneak around with a 30 pound rifle with 60 power scope under his t-shirt.

[TexasCowboy]

"a step toward more restrictive gun laws that might next target that trusty ol' deer rifle -"

The only thing I disagree with in this statement is the word, "might".

[TexasCowboy]

No, the problem with the .50s is that the crazy gun nuts were using the moon for target practice!
I darn sure don't want the moon shot full of holes!