Missouri House Democrats introduce bill that would ban assault weapons (confiscation)

Dana Loesch Radio on Thursday revealed that representatives in the Missouri House have introduced a bill that would criminalize so-called “assault weapons” and high capacity magazines within the state.

Sponsored by Rep. Roy Ellinger and co-sponsored by Reps. Jill Schupp, Margo McNeil and Walton Gray, the bill gives Missouri gun owners 90 days after taking effect to surrender their firearms.

4. Any person who, prior to the effective date of this law, was legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine shall have ninety days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution:

(1) Remove the assault weapon or large capacity magazine from the state of Missouri;

(3) Surrender the assault weapon or large capacity magazine to the appropriate law enforcement agency for destruction, subject to specific agency regulations.

5. Unlawful manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale, or transfer of an assault weapon or a large capacity magazine is a class C felony.

The introduction of this bill follows several other anti-gun bills throughout the country, with the most notable being in New York. Last month, the state of New York passed the most restrictive gun control legislation in the country, criminalizing “assault” rifles and magazines that hold more than seven rounds, as well as requiring background checks for all private purchases and attempting to strengthen the mental health system.

http://www.davekopel.org/2a/Foreign/arms-and-the-greeks.htm

In the sixth century BCE, a tyrant named Pisistratus took over Athens. Aristotle explained how the tyrant obtained absolute power by disarming the people of every city he controlled:

After his victory in the battle at Pallene he captured Athens, and when he had disarmed the people he at last had his tyranny securely established, and was able to take Naxos (a Greek island) and set up Lygdamis as ruler there. He effected the disarmament of the people in the following manner. He ordered a parade in full armour in the Theseum (a temple), and began to make a speech to the people.

He spoke for a short time, until the people called out that they could not hear him, whereupon he bade them come up to the entrance of the Acropolis, in order that his voice might be better heard. Then, while he continued to speak to them at great length, men whom he had appointed for the purpose collected the arms and locked them up in the chambers of the Theseum hard by, and came and made a signal to him that it was done.

Pisistratus accordingly, when he had finished the rest of what he had to say, told the people also what had happened to their arms; adding that they were not to be surprised or alarmed, but go home and attend to their private affairs, while he would himself for the future manage all the business of the state. (Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution, ch. 15, translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon)

Given today’s internet, I think it would be a lot easier for citizens to track any government plans for a crackdown, than was “one if by land, two if by sea” with a lantern in 1776.

The British were unsuccessful because the alarm spread faster than they could march. Today, a government intent on seizing an armory has a number of swift options, some of which were recently demonstrated over Miami and Houston.

Yes, this is the sort of thing that might work in some areas. Any repository would need excellent security. However, the house next to mine was broken into when the owner was home. Mine was broken into when I was away. Fortunately, my pistol was not found. There are advantages to clutter and this was one of them. ;-)

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