[carton253]

The cartoon is cute...

You are not... LOL!

By the way... I will do your and Laz's job for you.

According to the White House site, the President does support the current assault weapon ban...

Lately, on Free Republic there have been alot of "accusations" and "charges" made without proof. These over generalizations of positions and beliefs about what will happen in the future usually denigrate into a name calling slug fest.

Proof usually melts away any opposition.

That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?

[mr.pink]

That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?

Why does anyone need to own a Ferarri...or a Hummer for that matter?

[William McKinley]

That's different though, than "strenuously pushing" for a "more restrictive" one.

[new cruelty]

Just having a little fun before I get to work. :)

Y'all have a good day!

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

The second amendment is a doomsday provision, designed to allow the citizenry to depose the government. It anticipates some resistance to that overthrow by officers of the government or the army.

The whole point of the amendment is to have the citizens armed as close as possible in equality with the military.

The weapons most protected by the second amendment are military grade weapons.

[Orangedog]

That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?

You may want to take look at the 2nd Amendment. One doesn't have to justify a right.

[Lazamataz]

That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?

I knew it.

Scratch any given squishy Bushbot, and you'll invariably find a gungrabbing weenie.

[Lazamataz]

That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?

I've answered this one a million times. Let's go for 1,000,001.

I compete in the DCM/CMP. It uses an army-standard qualifying proficiency course in its competition. Usually, the venerable M1-Garand from world war II or the slightly newer M1-A with the detachable box magazine are used.

These are fine competition weapons, not so-called 'assault weapons' as gungrabbing weenies would call them.

Some people are gun collectors. I was until recently. I was starting a collection of semiauto copies of military weapons of the world.

Assault weapons are full-auto weapons. The semi-autos that are being banned are not full auto and only LOOK like the full-auto versions. Because they cause you to pee your pants in fright should in no way impact my ownership of them.

[em2vn]

The term "assault weapon" as used here is incorrect. A true "assaultd weapon" is a military combat weapon that can be fired on full automatic.
"Assault weapons" as discussed here are only capable of firing on semi-automatic, pull the trigger and one shot is fired. This means of firing has been available to Americans for over one hundred years.

[IGOTMINE]

"That said... can anyone tell me why anyone would need to own an assault weapon?"

First, I reject the premise that gun ownership is based upon "need". What I choose to own and shoot should be a matter settled between me, my gun dealer and my bank account.

Secondly, you use the media's "assault weapon" perjorative. We are talking about semi-automatic (one trigger pull, one shot) rifles. A true "assault weapon" possesses the capacity for fully automatic fire. (And, by the way, you can own a machine gun in many states if you're willing to pay the tax.)

Third, if you want to compete in NRA sponsored military high power matches you need an accurized AR-15 or M1A. There's your "sporting purpose".

Fourth, these rifles are very reliable and have the capacity for sustained, accurate fire. They are just the sort of thing you need to have in order to defend your home or neighborhood against a well-armed threat. Just like the "militia" the Founders referred to.

Finally, the fact is that there are hundreds of thousands of these type rifles in this country, and millions trained in their use. This should serve as a deterrent to enemies, foreign and domestic that we are not to be trifled with.

[jeremiah]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,86415,00.html .....This fox news story seems to contradict what you write.