Posted on 09/13/2004 5:29:12 AM PDT by craig61a
Over the last decade, buying an assault weapon hasn't been as easy as it once was. For that you can credit Congress, which decided in 1994 that rapid-fire killing machines have no proper place in American life. Apparently that conclusion has been renounced, for assault weapons are even now rushing back into gun shops. Today marks the expiration of the ban -- and the coming of a great shopping opportunity for gunsters. Never mind that most Americans strongly backed the ban. Somehow, the prohibition was allowed to wither without regard for the public will -- and despite past support from major-party presidential candidates. Last March, Sen. John Kerry voted for renewing the ban, which cleared the Senate but died in the House.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
I know just how you feel. I had amassed a collection of gallery rifles in 90 percent condition but sold them for the downstroke on a new house.
In England guns are illegal. You know what the crime rate is there.
It's a good argument for repealing all their gun laws.
Try answering my questions, newbie.
All of us are aware of the scyrocketing crime rate in England since firearms and self defense have been taken out of the hands of the subjects.
What's your point?
I'm beginning to think you are on the wrong forum.
Yeah, it's a lot higher than it is in America, in EVERY SINGLE category other than murder, and the murder rates here have been higher than there for more than a hundred years, during most of which time neither country had any gun control laws to speak of. Indeed, our non-gun murder rates are higher than their total murder rates, which makes it pretty hard to pin the fault on guns or gun laws. But their non-murder crime rate increases have been recent and sudden, and it IS pretty easy to connect that to their ban on guns and self-defense generally.
Be Ever Vigilant!
Relax, turn off the TV, think, and learn.
Even with the ban, I could have legally gotten a TRUE AK-47 if it was manufactured before 1986 and if I was in a state that allows Class III. It costs me about $200 to get the stamp and I go through the paperwork, but that's about it I believe. What I'm referring to is the full auto type - which many uninformed think this ban covers. It doesn't, only semi-auto - which probably 2/3 of all firearms are. One pull of the trigger per fire.
The ugly (or "scary looking") gun ban(I refuse to use the term assault weapon) doesn't effect the power or any of these firearms. The only significant effect is the ten round magazine limit - a few seconds for a reload - so it's a pain mostly for the second table in bowling pin shoots - a shooting competition.
After the ugly gun ban took effect, what the gun manufactures did was alter the designs of these ugly guns. Post ban designed AR-15's (M-16 design) for example. As for Columbine - this ban sure didn't stop the 1998 shooting there now, did it.
In power, I believe the AK-47 fires the .308 - a mid power cartridge. The AR-15 fires a .223. Many hunting rounds are more powerful than them. 12 gage shotguns for one. The most dangerous "nut" is the one with a 12 gage loaded with slugs or the hunting rifle.
What in the world is the purpose for that?
Lastly to respond to that.
1. Amendment II US Constitution. Article 1, Section 6 Michigan Constitution. They supersede all
2. It's none of big government's business what firearm I own. I'm not a criminal and shouldn't be treated like one.
3. The .308 is a good hunting round.
4. Shooting competitions.
5. There's no threat to anyone if I own one. Ted Kennedy has killed more people with his car than I have with any of my guns.
The real question is, do you know know what the violent crime rate is in enlgand?
Hint: It's higher than ours.
Sheesh.
I just think its best that only the police had guns.
Bwahahahaha!!!! You're in good company, then ... along with Josef Stalin, Fidel Castro, Kim il Sung, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and everybody's favourite The Hildebeeste.
"I just think its best that only the police had guns"
Why, because of some emotional response?
Not out of respect for the constitution written by our founding fathers?
You think it would be better that if a woman is alone in her home, and someone is breaking in, you'd take the revolver out of her hands and give her a telephone, because she'd be safer with the telephone???
Do you seriously think that????
How much y'all wanna bet that our lovely Lori is really a right-wing, pro-gun, 2A activist just trying to make the gun-control-freaks look stupid by posting silly arguments?
Do you think it is morally correct to allow criminals to dictate what rights will be allowed the law-abiding? Or is this a truth that you simply do not want to face, for fear of the answer?
What is your defense against being burglarized, raped, or killed in your home ?
I think you know I know that. I was making a point.
That's called a police state.
If bad guys want these sort of weapons, they surely already have 'em by now. See, the ban which just expired only focused on a few cosmetic features of the firearms which you fear so much. The manufacturers made a few easy changes and continued selling the same weapons. I'll state it once again, in the hopes that you absorb the truth this time... semi-automatic AK-47 variants (and other so-called "assault weapons") HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE for the past ten years. And more popular than ever, thanks to the government trying to tell us what we can and can't own.
Could someone use that sort of firearm in a high-profile crime? Sure... but they could have done so all along.
By the way, I owe a big "you were right, I was wrong" to some unknown FReeper out there who told me a year ago that the AWB would expire, while I argued that DeLay wouldn't be able to hold the line, and the weak-kneed Pubbies would cave and vote to pass an extension. I thought I had bookmarked the thread, but I sure can't find it now. So to you, my unknown FRiend, here's that big bowl of crow I promised I'd eat...I'm chewing with a big smile on my face, 'cause I was WRONG!!!!!
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Agreed. But in case any neutrals were reading the thread.
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