[Hodar]

Unlawful, but not unconstitutional?

I can understand allowing pistols, rifles and shotguns. However, would you prefer some gang-bangers opening fire in your neighborhood with a 12 round 9mm Glock, or a fully automatic weapon?

One could argue that a 'need' for a fully automatic weapon isn't valid. However, I see no problem with the semi-automatics. The present system (Class 3 Federal Firearms Permit) for fully automatic weapons has worked very well since the 1940's.

[driftdiver]

"One could argue that a 'need' for a fully automatic weapon isn't valid. However, I see no problem with the semi-automatics. The present system (Class 3 Federal Firearms Permit) for fully automatic weapons has worked very well since the 1940's."

Except the part where no new weapons can be sold. A gun that costs the US Govt a couple hundred bucks would cost me several thousand. Doesn't sound like its working to me.

[DCBryan1]

However, would you prefer some gang-bangers opening fire in your neighborhood with a 12 round 9mm Glock, or a fully automatic weapon?

If this were a truely free country, we wouldnt have gang bangers on the street...they would be pushing daisies after a 30 day fair trial, or languishing in hard labor prisons. Law abiding citizens would flourish, and maybe, just maybe, a 5-shot revolver, (or a miniuzi) on those four (4) planes on 9-11 would have averted a disaster.

I challenge both of you to go to israel and see everyone, I MEAN EVERYONE carrying machine guns, grenade launchers, belt feds...etc.....

Aside from political/religious crime (read terrorism)...Israel is WELL ARMED and VERY SAFE (and thus polite)....plus the women are beautiful!! ;)

[TheDon]

I'd love to have a 12 round 9mm Glock to defend myself and family with. Heck, I'd love to have more than 12 rounds!

As for a fully automatic weapon, that would just be for fun for me. I doubt a gang banger could afford one, nor would they find it of much use.

Just because your rights have been infringed since the 1940s, doesn't make it right.

[JillValentine]

1. Under the current system, law-abiding citizens have to jump through hoops to get an automatic weapon. Criminals simply have to buy one on the black market, or steal one. The current system isn't making anyone safer (except the criminals).

2. A criminal with an automatic weapon isn't necessarily any more dangerous than one with a semi-automatic. Read the story of Charles Whitman, the Texas tower sniper.

I don't expect you to change your mind, at least not right away. But I do hope you'll have a different view of what the media has labeled "gun nuts."

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

Only 12 rounds? My G19 has 16 in it right now. And a spare mag of 15 within an arm's length. I have fired a FA weapon and prefer semi autos or even a bolt action with a scope.:-)

[proud_yank]

I can understand allowing pistols, rifles and shotguns. However, would you prefer some gang-bangers opening fire in your neighborhood with a 12 round 9mm Glock, or a fully automatic weapon?

One could argue that a 'need' for a fully automatic weapon isn't valid. However, I see no problem with the semi-automatics. The present system (Class 3 Federal Firearms Permit) for fully automatic weapons has worked very well since the 1940's.

'Assault weapons', particularly select-fire arms, are not a criminals first choice of weapon. They are generally too large to conceal, and much too expensive to fire.

Check out the statistics under 'assault weapons', I believe something like .002% of crimes involving firearms involved an 'assault weapon'. (Assault weapon, by the way, is not even a defined term in the US)


(Click the image)

As for the 'need' of owning something, I would find a full auto rifle a necessity should someone come to take my deer rifle!

In Canada, where I live now, up to 15-20 years ago you could legally purchase a machine gun. Crime rates started to increase here about the same time they passed numerous gun-control laws (in addition to increasing the welfare state, and not taking a hard-line stance on criminals).

[looscnnn]

"would you prefer some gang-bangers opening fire in your neighborhood with a 12 round 9mm Glock, or a fully automatic weapon?"

Would you prefer they open fire with a 12 round or 10 round 9mm Glock? Would you prefer them to open fire with a M1 or a black powder muzzle loader?

"One could argue that a 'need' for a fully automatic weapon isn't valid. However, I see no problem with the semi-automatics."

Where does the 2nd state "Need"? Need for what? Stop rehashing the crap that the antis use. One could argue that a "need" for semi-autos isn't valid.

"The present system (Class 3 Federal Firearms Permit) for fully automatic weapons has worked very well since the 1940's."

Really, it hasn't stopped criminals from getting the guns when they wanted them. Didn't stop the state troopers did it?

[looscnnn]

I will also state that no one needs a Corvette or an SUV, but we are allowed to own them and we don't even have a right to own them. No one needs a fancy house, no needs cable tv, internet, multiple ESPN channels, etc. The US and the Constitution/BOR is not about needs they are about freedoms and rights. While what I stated are not rights we have the freedom to own/have/enjoy them. Drop the need crap, you just play into the antis hand.