The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between. justshutupandtakeit is not supporting the AW ban; he is minimizing it's relevance. You're wrong, tpaine, and you are extending what his statements are to encompass a viewpoint that he probably does not hold.
Of course, j.s.u.a.t.i. and I disgree on the point of the relevance of the AW ban, quite strongly. I vehemently appose the continuation of the AW ban, and the significance of it is marginal at the moment -- because it deals mostly in cosmetics (except the 10-rd mag cap) -- but, if reapproved, expect all sorts of new restrictions that are NOT cosmetic.
He is supporting the man that is supporting the ban. That's the truth.
he is minimizing it's relevance. You're wrong, tpaine, and you are extending what his statements are to encompass a viewpoint that he probably does not hold.
Probably? He freely admits that he doesn't care if assault weapons are prohibited.
The AW ban is a stupid, misguided piece of legislation.
Those that claim it has no impact are generally folks that have little interest in that type of firearm - somewhat akin to the "Saturday Night Special" discussion - it doesn't affect MY gun, so what do I care?
Clearly, it's a problem on principle - slippery slope, camels nose, whatever - but ultimately, it's another class of firearm rendered "outlaw" based on emotional rhetoric.
Practically, though, it has other less obvious, but significant impacts - the 10rd mag limit is the most insidious.
Glock built the G17 to work with a two column, tapered magazine. In order to a. comply with the law and b. prevent simple alteration, Glock had to develop a less than ideal solution for their "civilian" market - the result is that for full size Glocks, 10rd magazines DO NOT function as well as the standard magazine.
Perhaps most insidious, very few people really know the law. Thus, the ban has the effect of creating criminals out of people doing their level best to be law abiding, simply by combining a pistol grip with a collapsible stock.
Finally, and dramatically, most manufacturers of first class gear are forced to build second rate junk in order to comply with the law.
Cosmetic, perhaps, but if given the choice, who with any sense would choose the HK SL8 over a semiauto G36.
Police departments virtually NEVER pick the post ban configuration for rifles, even when they choose semiautos, because post ban is SUBSTANDARD.
Combine that with the fact that "assault weapons" don't get used in crimes - and you have a poster child for horrendously bad gun legislation.