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.
I could go with it, but it ain't going to happen. :(
The original US assault weapon of WWI was the trench shotgun.
Well a percussion cap pistol is considered a BP antique .... a percussion cap used to ignite a cannon would be antique as well.
Stock up with all you can get..they are coming after
us,and we will have to kill he bastards...JK
Actually, that's not quite right. While the 7.62mm Russian was designed for the (Soviet) military as a less powerful round than the round used in a battle rifle, it's still a "high power" rifle cartridge.
On the other hand, the 5.56mm NATO, or .223 Remington was originally designed as an improved high powered varmint cartridge, although it was specifically designed to be used in Eugene Stoner's Armalite rifles.
Both of these ARE considered to be "high power" cartridges, however, they're not as powerful as the cartridges generally fired from "battle rifles."
Mark
The term "assault weapon" is a pejorative, inflammatory term meant to evoke an irrational emotional response in the reader, in order to prepare him or her for draconian gun-confiscation laws. It is also a meaningless term, as the correct term "assault rifle" refers to a firearm with full-auto capabilities, which are heavily restricted.
In my book, an assault weapon is something used in an assault, such as this evil, wicked device, sold by merchants of death (Lowes, Home Depot):
That's the infamous H16-R assault weapon (Hammer, 16 ounce, ripping). I think only rubber hammers are legal in California. Not the hard rubber ones, only the ones that squeak when you hit something.
It's more infamous than that. It's the high-capacity 28 oz version.
Unbelievable...
Here we flippin' go again...
You'd have thought they would have waited till Hillary gets the office in '08...
But nooooooooo...
Somehow I just don't have a warm and fuzzy that there's a pen ready to VETO something like this thats being warmed up for the next Congress...
Then it's a main battle hammer, not an assault hammer. Better known as a Battle Facilitating Hammer, or "BFH".
This time they will go for the kill; they will outlaw semi autos, they will outlaw mags, they will try to outlaw ammo that can penetrate anything (like a deer).
The second coming of the AWB under the Democrats will be the kiss of death for legal semi auto ownership. Hopefully they will overreach so badly that it backfires.
This will have the effect of banning anything more powerful than a .22 rimfire.
That is their goal...
High powered is my M1 Garand(s)....
Hey! I got a couple of these...one with a smooth peen face and a serrated one for pinheads (uh...I mean nails.....)
Make sure you register them with the proper authorities!
/sarc
• "He [Romney] is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban."
- Romney 2002 campaign website Romney Favors Waiting Periods
• Regarding the Brady Bill which required waiting periods to buy a handgun, Romney stated, "I don’t think [the waiting period] will have a massive effect on crime but I think it will have a positive effect."
- Boston Herald, 8/1/1994
Although I am sure his position has changed now that he is pretending to be a conservative.
Always good to see Oleg's work.
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