Replies

Henrietta, I do not care to discuss this issue. I do not own weapons, although I support your right to own them. I do not think that assault weapons are the sole purpose of the Second Amendment.

I will caution you that attacks on my appreciation of freedom are not going to win me to your position, just as hysterical rants of the gun-banners are not going to win me to theirs.

You are free to support the lifting of the ban, and you are free to contact your Congressman and Senators. Making snide remarks to me isn't going to accomplish anything.

"I do not care to discuss this issue. I do not own weapons, although I support your right to own them. I do not think that assault weapons are the sole purpose of the Second Amendment."

Miss Marple, I admire you for confessing your technical ignorance (being a non-owner) on the subject, and appreciate your support for our rights. However, you must realize that the purpose of the 2nd amendment is to SECURE FREEDOM. (The RKBA is necessary for a militia, which is necessary for the security of a free state.) The best weapons to secure freedom are those that work well against those who would threaten it. Whether invading armies from other nations or savage tribes, or oppression by our own government, you can ask any security force, army, or guerrilla band what is preferred for those tasks.

The picture they paint for you will look exactly like the weapons that are banned:
1. Semi-auto firing to allow fast follow-up shots.
2. Pistol grip to facility easy handling.
3. Large capacity magazine to allow plenty of shooting before reloading.
4. A flash hider to prevent thoe shooter from being blinded in low light or dark conditions, and to reduce the distance at which an enemy artillery or counter sniper can notice the flash.
5. A bayonet lug for those rare instances when out of ammo or in close quarters battle, when a spear is helpful.
6. A folding or telescoping stock so that the rifle can be carried compactly.
7. The ability to select full-auto firing for when multiple assailants are close at hand (this was essentially banned in 1986, after being heavily taxed and regulated in 1934.)

In fact, if there is any one weapon that is "needed" and whose posession is the most strictly protected even by a narrow reading of the second amendment, it is the modern "assult rifles" that happen to look cool/scary, and which do not have much popular support, even among many hunters, conservatives, and folks like Charlton Heston.