Assault weapons don't belong in civilian hands (MA)

The Standard-Times ^ | December 22, 2006 | Meathead Editorial

[neverdem]

It is long past time for the state Legislature and Congress to enact more effective bans on high-powered, military-style assault weapons.

New Bedford police were overpowered and outgunned when they went to the Foxy Lady strip club last week to respond to a domestic violence incident that turned into a deadly and frightening rampage.

The gunman, Scott Medeiros of Freetown, had obtained a Class A license more than a decade ago that allowed him to purchase any legal gun in the state, including the AR-15, a military-style semiautomatic assault rifle that is banned in California.

It is true that without the AR-15 rifle, Mr. Medeiros still might have used deadly force to kill the two Foxy Lady employees he apparently intended to murder. But he would not have overpowered police on patrol. And as one letter writer pointed out this week, "He definitely would not have been able to accomplish the life-threatening terror that took place outside the club."

We applaud New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang for urging legislators from SouthCoast to push for a more effective assault weapons ban in the state, and we urge him to use his influence with our congressional delegation to revisit the federal assault weapons ban that was allowed to lapse in 2004 under the Republican-controlled Congress.

Massachusetts is such a small state and so near states with much weaker gun laws that a stronger federal policy on assault weapons is necessary to protect the Bay State.

The 10-year federal ban halted the manufacture of 19 of the most deadly military-style assault weapons and banned their sale across the nation. Critics say there were significant loopholes in that ban. For example, the weapon used by Mr. Medeiros was banned only when it included certain components, such as a bayonet, flash suppressor and other devices, according to Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott. The basic weapon designed to replicate the military M-16 was still for sale across much of the nation.

Chief Abbott agrees with Mayor Lang that it is time to revisit regulations on assault weapons. He also suggests that the state re-examine classifications of gun licenses. Under current law, anyone with a Class A or Class B license can purchase a military-style assault weapon.

Weapons bans open up a raging debate about the meaning of the Second Amendment "right to bear arms." But this debate should not keep us from looking at the disturbing reality that it is too easy for civilians to purchase and use weapons designed only to kill and terrorize people, weapons that provide a civilian with more firepower than local city and town police. We must then enact sensible regulations to protect all law-abiding citizens, whether or not they choose to own a gun.

[ninenot]

What a bunch of losers...

In our town, a suburb of Milwaukee, police cars have two (two!!) rifle-holders. One's for the AR-15; the other's for a 12-ga shotgun.

Doesn't this rinkydink town have the $$ to purchase weapons for its officers?

[ninenot]

Since the vast majority of M-16 rounds are pointed in the direction of the enemy, that's a good thing, no?

[ninenot]

Precisely.

That doctrine was first suggested in the mid-1950's. It's one of the reasons that BCT 'rifle training' now uses popup man-silhouette targets rather than bullseyes.

But the doctrine is coming under question as the Afghanistan battles are usually conducted at >400 yards--requiring the .308 Rem 700 rifles to kill the enemy...

[BCR #226]

Okay... let's ban them all... I can go along with that... as long as there is a mandatory rider on the bill that eliminates ALL LE, Government and military exemptions for ALL gun bans.

If that isn't in it, then no dice. Any gun grabbers want to volunteer to come to my house and take my guns? Somehow, the silence in the room is telling.

Mike

[ninenot]

Of course, semi-auto ownership will continue.

Some of us will have forgotten where we put them.

Hint: look under the grass, about 4' down, wrapped in the oilite-skin...

[ninenot]

My tricked-out 10/22 can put 5 rounds through a .35 inch hole at 25 yards, supported.

Moving target (the paper was swinging back and forth at the time.)

Good enough to find an eye-socket.

[ninenot]

Sarah Brady

Unfortunately, she was never arrested and prosecuted for her strawman-purchase of a rifle (a gift for her son...)

[ninenot]

...a very controversial decision, because the defense basically "gave up" before appearing at the SCOTUS.

[Sender]

Some of us will have forgotten where we put them. Or who we sold them to.

The gun banners realize this; they first need to register guns, then make it a crime to sell, give or lose a weapon without contacting the gov.

Then after the amnesty period passes, anyone still possessing an unregistered item can never use or show it without fear of felony arrest.

Finally, after some big fracas, it's time to protect all of us from our evil guns. Now they really have us; ones we registered must be surrendered or else. Ones we didn't register can never be found or else. Then just to make sure, outlaw or track all military caliber ammo sales.

Yeah, that was pretty pessimistic. But I would not put any of it past the current Democratic Congress unless conservatives can block them.

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"The correct usage is any hand carried military weapon that fires multiple times from one pull of the trigger(automatic)and used to assault fixed positions."

"Assault weapon" is a political, not a military term.

"Assault rifle" is a military term for an intermediate caliber, selective fire rifle. The BAR is not an assault rifle, for instance, despite being hand-carried.

[RetiredArmy]

Yup. When I got hit, it was a sniper. We were working around a bunch of ARVAN's (South Viet Army regulars) during the day. We were told that at night a some of them were probably VC. So, the guy who fired on us right at dark the night I got hit, was probably one of those VC posing as an ARVAN and had an M16.

[t_skoz]

Personally, I am more afraid of facing a 12 gauge shotgun than a Bushmaster, which would be legal even under the most stringent gun-control.

Here in NH we are one of the States that the article refers to as having "weak gun laws". I carry a handgun almost daily... there is little crime here in NH compared to MA.

[Gaffer]

You know you're not supposed to shoot them in the eye!
That's against the Geneva Conventions for something like
that! /s

[Blood of Tyrants]

Easy enough to do.
http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm

Eligibility requirements: http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/eligibility_requirements.htm

For a first time buyer, I sould suggest that you wait until Service Grades are available and get one.

Now if you are an experienced gunsmith, I would suggest you get a Service Grade barrelled receiver and a kit from http://www.northridgeinc.com/m1_garand.htm (never mnd the description, the kits are $200 minus barrel) and put them together. No special tools needed at all.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Unfortunately, they know exactly what they are doing. The NRA just announced it was rolling over on the gunshow "loophole" and screwing us again. I sent my mone to the SAF because they are going on the offensive and suing the government saying the "sporting use" laws are unconstitutional.

[ninenot]

There are countless ways to play the game, if necessary.

But if one's going to be "a criminal" for having a weapon, then one may as well take a few liberties with other stupid laws--such as those protecting the gun-grabbers from mayhem...

[ninenot]

Sorry.

Ear.

Nostril.

Adam's Apple.

Dick.

[Sender]

True; one of the "unintended consequences" of making ordinary guns illegal is that there would then be no motivation to avoid more serious weaponry.

I mean, if you're going to be a felon for owning an ordinary rifle, heck you might as well own something that rocks and rolls.

The gub'mint should be happy that they have mandated us to own only common small arms. I can live with that. They should leave well enough alone.

[Old Student]

"I think you do. I have a friend that is a civil war buff. One of the kind that goes around redoing the large battles of the Civil war.
He has an actual Civil war era cannon. Says he had to register it with the fed guv in order to keep it."

I believe that bore size is also a factor. I had a friend a couple of decades ago who had a muzzle-loader with a 2" bore, no license required. Of course, that was a long time ago, and things might have changed, since then. Best to look at current info before springing for a Napoleonic 12-pounder...

[Gaffer]

You got that order reversed.

Gotta see their package get hit first. When the head jerks back - adams apple....then the eye so they can see it coming and then the ear --last thing they ever hear....