How has the "Assault Weapons" ban affected you?

vanity-self | 4/19/03 | self

[Wild Game]

Has the "Assault Weapons" ban prevented you from enjoying, purchasing, selling or trading firearms? How? How did it not change anything for you?

[Henrietta]

Wrong. See post #45. If the cost has been artificially pushed up by using this gun law to restrict the supply, then we "one-issue whiners" (as you charmingly labeled those who disagree with you on this issue) have been negatively affected.

And if Bush renews the ban, he will be negatively affected.

Bet on it.

[Henrietta]

"So, If you wanted to hear how I violate federal laws and the laws of my state, you did. Just like a peice of paper DOESN'T give me my rights, niether does/will a piece of paper remove them."

First of all, let me say that I deeply admire and respect your refusal to obey unconstitutional laws.

I think what many of us on this thread are saying, though, is "Let's stop the govt from passing or extending unconstitutional laws."

We may fight these laws, but given the corrupt nature of our courts and prosecutors, and the failure of judges to give instructions that truly reflect our laws (such as the instruction that jurors have the right to judge the facts and the law) we are fighting a losing battle in our courts. Better to not have these stupid laws on the books in the first place, rather than have some D.A. jack up someone on charges for violating a stupid law and force some poor guy to spend thousands of dollars defending himself against a government who is going to use the power of the State (not to mention the unlimited tax money confiscated at the point of a gun from his fellow citizens) to try to send him to prison.

[Jesse]

"I'm looking for more understanding on how its hurt Americans and their rights."

It creates a situation wherein ownership of two functionally identical firearms can be both legal and illegal, depending on when made.

It gives the government an enforcement power which, if enforced to the letter of the law by some future administration, thousands of gun owners could be put in legal jeopardy for technical reasons. For example, if you purchased an SKS with a foldable stock from somebody, do you know if it is legal? Depending on when that gun was imported, you are either in legal compliance or you could be in possession of an illegal firearm. Ownership of which could be a felony conviction.

I own a silencer...fully legal and registered. But I cannot put that device on some of my guns without violating the law because a silencer is a flash suppressor, and some of the guns I bought were from after the ban. BTW, I like silencers (suppressors) because it makes the gun much more enjoyable to shoot and is better for my ears, I think, even with hearing protection.

You might recall that the Randy Weaver debacle in Idaho started off with the government entrapping Weaver with an informant. Weaver sawed off a shotgun barrel which I believe was 1/16" too short to comply with the law. BATF created the Waco massacre because it "believed" that Koresh was in possession of illegal fully automatic weapons which had not been registered or a tax paid. Turns out they were wrong...

The legislation does affect my rights, and has affected other's rights. We cannot buy or own certain weapons and accessories. That one can get around those restrictions for the time being does not mean that the rights are not being affected.

But if you and others don't think this bill affects our rights, then just let it die. What use is it, then?

[weaponeer]

(YOU) I remember a few folks being upset about that though. As if many folks are going to run screaming down range to bayonet their target or make a bayonet assault on a mule deer.

(ME) So, if it is such a non-issue, why was it banned?

Still waiting for an answer.

[Dakotabound]

I always laughed at the bayonet lug element of the ban; apparently being able to fix a bayonet to your weapon makes it an assault weapon.

I remember a few folks being upset about that though. As if many folks are going to run screaming down range to bayonet their target or make a bayonet assault on a mule deer.

As if my putting a non-original bayonet onto an otherwise perfectly legal firearm suddenly makes me into a felon.

Oh, wait, it does...I'm such a criminal.

Execute me.

[Henrietta]

"I'll tell you how it affected me! \a friend/ This "friend" of mine ordered a few pre-ban magazines for his Beretta 92. Everything went fine until this "friend" came home to find that his package had arrived and that this "friend" was now committing a felony worth 5 or 10 years in Club Fed!!! "

Okay, now I'm confused...If they were pre-ban, why were they illegal? It's okay to buy preban, and unless they are marked that they are "post-ban" they are presumed to be legal.

Can you explain?

[HitmanLV]

I have to confess some ignorance here - I don't know much about guys. Can you please, or someone else, explain to me the difference between an automatic weapon and a semi-automatic weapon? And also what they mean by an 'Assualt Weapon' - in colloquial use it would seem to me that any gun is an assault weapon, but what is specifically meant by that?

This isn't a trick - I just see many talking heads dropping words like this and I don't doubt that the typical person on the street has any idea what they mean.

[Red6]

Isn't it the Assault weapon ban that states that bayonet lugs are illegal on new weapons?

When was the last bank robbed at bayonet point?

How many intentional bayonet stabbings with knife mounted to weapon have occurred in say the last DECADE?

Does a pistol grip on a rifle make into more of an assault weapon?

What exactly defines an assault weapon? On the news you hear things like: "Today Freddy killed his teacher with a 22 bolt action assault rife". Who is the MASTER with the definition? My M1 is a former military tool made for killing PEOPLE; does it qualify to be labeled as bad, as an assault weapon?

Are 30 round magazines more dangerous than 20 or 10? Is a 15 round pistol magazine more dangerous than a 9 round? Last I checked, statistically most gunfights are long over before shot 3 or 4 is fired.

Who comes up with this crap? Are people really this ignorant? Do people not see that this whole issue is nothing more than popularistic gerrymandering along issues to gather some fringe votes from weirdoes who personally don't care for guns so see nothing wrong with violating others rights?

I don't Jet Ski; jet skiing is bad for the environment-Ban it.

I don't rock climb; it defaces the rocks-Ban it.

I don't scuba dive; it’s dangerous, many damage the environment-ban it.

I don't care for motorcycles; they are dangerous and cost the taxpayer money-ban it.

I don't own a plane; Private planes are hard on the environment and are dangerous-ban it.

Have you seen how those roller bladers endanger pedestrians? Ban it.

SUVs are bad for the environment-ban them.

Think of those poor animals in cages (zoo, water world, circus)-ban them.

You see, tolerance is more then saying, "I AM TOLERANT TO OTHERS". People who want to dictate how others must live despite them not being influenced by the actions of the other are not at all tolerant, and if you ague "Well, them having a weapon influences me", then all I got to say is "What are your hobbies, your interests?” because there is someone, somewhere that has an objection to that.

It is unfortunate that the RIGHT to bear arms has become a sacrificial lamb for politicians in our country. The majority does not care and because it does not influence them, they are OK with stepping on the few that do want their rights. A few are loudmouth weirdoes. They have pseudo logical semi accurate ideas or statistics that where collected for the point of substantiating their view. Finally you throw in a morally corruptible politician who is willing to say anything as long as he gets elected and you have a dangerous environment for the gun enthusiast.

[Henrietta]

"I have to confess some ignorance here - I don't know much about guys."

I don't know much about guys, either. After 30-odd years, they are still a mystery to me. Guns, however, are much simpler.

An automatic weapon is a weapon that will continue to shoot as long as you hold down the trigger. These are also known as "machine guns" and have been regulated by Federal law since 1934. To get one, you have to supply your fingerprints, undergo a background check, and pay a $200 transfer tax. You can't transfer these from person to person (except at death) without following this procedure; failure to do so will land you in the Fed's prisons for 10 years.

A semi-automatic weapon is a weapon that automatically loads a new round into the chamber after ejecting the spent round. Your average deer rifle is a semi-automatic weapon, as are many handguns. Sometimes also called an "autoloader."

An assault rifle (not to be confused with a so-called "assault weapon") is a weapon commonly used by the military which has selective fire via a switch on the receiver. It can be switched to fire one shot at a time, to fire in three-round bursts, or to fire full-auto.

A so-called "assualt weapon" is a weapon that looks scary to those who want to disarm the American public. It is a semi-auto rifle with one or more of the following characteristics: a flash hider, a bayonet lug, a pistol grip, a folding stock, a removable magazine, or a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds (I'm missing some stuff here; somebody help me out).

These guns offend the delicate sensibilities of anti-rights people because they "look scary." But the scary-looking features that are banned are useful to ordinary citizens, and the ban on having guns with certain features is repugnant to the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to keep and bear arms for their own defense, both against criminals and a tyrannical government.

BTW, we all need to stop using the anti-rights crowd's nomenclature for so-called "assault weapons." I call 'em "sport utility rifles" and encourange others to do the same. An anti-gun folks aren't "anti-gun;" they're "anti-rights" so that's what I call 'em (at least when I'm not calling them worse things.)

[UnChained]

Has the differing bans on handguns affected me???? Not at all. Never owned a gun in my life. Do I despise the assorted handgun laws around this nation, yes I do.

Like you, I've mever owned any sort of firearm, however I feel that the restrictions placed on firearms has affected everyone. We are less safe because criminals have a lower likelihood of encountering an armed victim and have become increasingly common. The second amendment states that a well armed militia is essential for national defense. The citizen militia is fairly spare and not that well armed for battle. If a some of container ships from China off -loaded a few million infantry troops into our ports one dark night. How would we defend ourselves?

A well armed and battle ready populace is a deterant to a lot of threats that we may be facing.

[Dan from Michigan]

I have to confess some ignorance here - I don't know much about guys. Can you please, or someone else, explain to me the difference between an automatic weapon and a semi-automatic weapon? And also what they mean by an 'Assualt Weapon' - in colloquial use it would seem to me that any gun is an assault weapon, but what is specifically meant by that? Automatic - pull the trigger once, firearm shoots all the bullets until either the finger is off the trigger or ammo is gone.

Semiautomatic - One pull of the trigger, one bullet. Most pistols are semi-auto(All glocks, Berettas, 1911), many rifles are as well.

Assault RIFLE - Military Term - guns that can shoot auto AND semi-auto. Class III NFA required to own one.

Assault WEAPON - A gun that looks scary. Term was created or made famous by anti-gunner Josh Sugarmann, now the head of VPC, a radical gun ban lobby. By legal definition, it depends on each state.

[Dan from Michigan]

I always use the term 'ugly guns'. To me, the only real assault weapon is one that is used in an assault. Usually a fist or a boot.

[cynicom]

When I went into AF long ago, we had to fire a rifle of some kind and a 45 cal handgun. They said I qualified but
I suspect someone helped with a pencil. Never fired before or since. It it came to civil war, revolution or whatever, I would borrow one.

[Dan from Michigan]

I own a 1911 ("evil semiautomatc", pocket rocket, junk gun), a 12 gauge,( over .50 caliber, riot/scattergun) and a .30-06 high powered, semi-automatic, detached magazine, sniper rifle.

How does these affect me? Personally, by jacking up the prices so I can't afford them.

But the big reason it affects me besides being unconstitutional. If we don't hang together, we all hang seperately. If we don't fight for the rights of hunters, they won't be there for target shooters. If we don't fight for clay shooters, they won't be there for handgunners. If we don't fight for handgunners, they won't be there for the AR or M1 shooters.

It's the nose in the camel's tent. Our "good" Sinator, Mr. Lenin Lenin, tried to ban all M1 through the Civillian Marksmanship Program last year. Over in Illinois, Daley, Munoz, and Blagojevich want to ban shotguns. We still have an Anti-rights majority in the US Senate, a slight majority in the house, and an unreliable president.

It's incrementalism.

[Mulder]

I used to walk down the street with a 12 gauge to go to a squirrel hunting spot I enjoyed. It's absurd to even contemplate either now, I'd be a felon for such innocent activities.

You'd have the SWAT teams from half the state descend on you. Then you'd have the JBT's confiscate all your guns. Some judge and prosecutor would then vicsiously destroy your life by giving you a felony rap and putting you in jail.

And statist bootlickers on various websites would be applauding every step of the way.

The emerging "police state grid" is really starting to piss me off. It's getting to the point where you can't do ANYTHING (except pay your taxes) without worrying about harrassment from some gov't agent. What's even more disgusting is that so-called "conservatives" are going along with it.

As a wise poster here once said: "If you're happy and you know it, clank your chains".

[CWOJackson]

Admit it, you're really Michael Moore looking for good quotes for Angry White Men II.

[William Terrell]

Nearly ALL legislation, short of constitutional ammendments come up for renewal every so many years.

Who told you that?

[Squantos]

And I ain't gotten any in a few days.

????? Who are you and how did you get Laz's moniker here at FR ?:o)

Missed yer wit here Laz.....half and nit. Glad to see ya back .

Stay Safe !!

[Squantos]

Hmmmmmm...... Hunnerd dollar High Capacity magazines. Having to be "better" that a guardhouse little-gator at deciphering the 26000 plus individual laws affecting firearms, use , transport, storage, purchasing and accessories.

Being classed at ranges when ya bring un-pc styles of firearms such as a Barrett and a 12 pounder cannon, along with an SKS. The Barret and the 12 pounders are kewl/acceptable as they cost a gazillion dollars but the SKS means to most of those who swallow these BS laws , yer trouble and or bringing bad light on their Socialist Ass Kissin Social Club.

I would guess the most impact this has had is that it is just a financial fiasco that is a source of revenue and personal property seizure for all levels of goobermint coffers and that left on the books we all become Armed Arm Chair Felons in time.

Stay Safe CL !!!

[Shooter 2.5]

While you're at it, I have a Para-Ordnance P-14. I would also like 10 factory magazines for 35 dollars each.

Thanks in advance.