Posted on 12/22/2006 10:15:46 AM PST by 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.
Whats that saying? "When Guns are outlawed...Only Liberals will have power"
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.
It is always used incorrectly in the MSM to include semiautomatic weapons.
Or would that be Amerikan Idle?
No, that would be a Federal class III license. Class A, B etc is apparently a Mass. state designation for who knows what, prolly anything the libtards don't like on any given day.
I could live with it. ;)
Hmmm...so I guess a BLU-82 is out of the question?
And the definition of high powered in this case - is that the available ammunition is not AP - capable of penetrating ANY body armor.
Gun makers need to call all of their products "non-assault weapons". Then what will be left to ban?
Additionally, more anti gun blather.
"Any law enforcement officer, found in possession of a weapon not allowed the general public, shall be imprisoned for ten years."
I second your proposal.
It's ludicrous to think that disarming the public while leaving the government armed could lead to anything but tyranny - the second amendment is there to secure the power in the hands of the people, not the public servants.
Why does it not surprise me this is happening in Femichusetts?
So the paper alludes to the fact the the "expired" federal ban would not have helped the situation with this nutcase and his AR-15.
So, how many cops were killed? None? So let's hear from the chief how the AR-15 made the situation worse.
Oh yeah, Mass. already has some of the most onerous gun laws in the country. You can keep your hands off mine.
And the government tells me I can't have one except by their leave.
I am but a serf and I don't like it.
Re-name them all "Assault Prevention Weapons". Maybe that'll get it through to the Brady Bunch and Gun Banners in general.
Soccer Moms (and Dads, too, probably) are more easily terrorized by "assault weapons" than by ordinary "weapons".
MRSI gets tough, but it can be done (Multiple rounds simultanious impact) (pronounced Mercy Missions)
"Assault weapons don't belong in civilian hands"
Yes they do.
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 haven't actually looked into getting one. I was relying on his experience.
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