Well, just wondering where everyone stands on the assault weapons issue. Since the ban is up in 2004, is everyone writing their representatives and putting the pressure on? I for one am very much against ANY bans on firearms. I do not think it is a political issue, and should no longer be one. If someone can burn the flag in the name of constitutional free speech, fine, then I can own an assault weapon in the name of the second amendment. I am not necessarily advocating them for hunting, (though I think they have their place), but I do not believe there needs to be restrictions. Consider this: The ATF' s mission is to regulate arms and such, and they spend billions of tax dollars per year to do this. The way I see it, the jobs falls to law enforcement to make sure that criminals do not obtain assault weapons, not citizens being banned from owning assault weapons. I concede that this is a mighty task, but I believe in putting the pressure where the pressure is do, not infringing on constitutional rights to make jobs easier. Just my two cents. Oh, and that was not anti-law enforcement, just anti gun control.
Location: Adirondack Moutains USA Member since sept/02
Posts: 1,639
RE: Assault Weapons?
Bigbore I also believe it should be our right to own whatever type of gun we want, but maybe there should be some sort of permit for owning certain things. There really is no reason for everyone to own a tank or a 50cal. machine gun.
I do have a question you say assault weapons have a purpose for hunting, what type of hunting, and what type of gun are you talking about?
One other question for everybody what types of fire power are we talking about, when and where can a person be allowed to use them?
I kind of sway on this one. I myself am against most forms of gun control, but I guess it depends on who is defining assualt weapon. My definition is completely different than I hear in todays media. I total understand the ban on fully automatic weapons, and don' t really have a problem with that. I think most places you have to have some type of special permit, I am ok with that. That is where it ends for me. By the definition of Clintons " assualt weapon" ban, as far as I understand it, it is just cosmetics on the weapon and it doesn' t make any sense.
I haven' t written any letters or called anyone, but I better pull my head out of my butt and get on that.
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First, some " assault weapons," defined by the Clinton administration and other gun control advocates, have practical purposes hunting. Bushmaster makes a very nice line of M-16 looking rifles that are specifically geared toward varmint hunters. The M-1 Springfield, next on the antis list, has practical hunting applications as arguably the most accurate auto on the market, chambered for a popular big game caliber.
Also, I believe these weapons have very practical use for ranchers and farmers, in having an accurate, high capacity, powerful rifle at their disposal for dealing with predators.
The most important aspect of these weapons is their defense purposes. The average response for law enforcement, though it varies, seems to be around 5-7 minutes in a city. Rural response is longer, and during times of crisis, i.e. hurricanes, riots, etc.. where you and your family are at great risk for looters and robbers, response time is whenever a body needs to be picked up. I for one know that I can defend myself with a Marlin lever gun, a M70 bolt, etc.. However, an assault rifle or high capacity pistol makes defending you and yours much more effective, for anyone.
Then, there is the fact that we are Americans, and free, and we can use these for target guns or just plain fun if we want.
I am not in favor of permits for these weapons. Maybe I just feel that if I give any ground, the antis will want more. Firepower and caliber restrictions must be taken into account, but not by congress. Local law enforcement and Wildlife agencies, maybe along with the BLM, can designate places where one can shoot something with a bore diameter larger than .50 caliber that fires, say, more than 20 rounds per minute (as an example). CALIBER RESTRICTIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS ON RATES OF FIRE HAVE NO PLACE ON THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT!
So, there you have it. Take note, because I am a college student, so next time someone says all Universities are full of liberal whack jobs, send them to talk to me. I agree they are full of crazies, but the key is to think for yourself!
" Guns are the teeth of Liberty" -Thomas Jefferson (I might double check the name)
Location: Adirondack Moutains USA Member since sept/02
Posts: 1,639
RE: Assault Weapons?
The only problem with letting every Tom, Dick, and Harry own assault weapons is that it could be dangerous. I agree most folks would be responsible but what about the other 10%? That is why we would have to have some sort of permit, lic. whatever, just so we would know where certain types of weapons are. I don' t like the thought of regulations but with some of the nutjobs out there we need to be carefull. There are always those folks that just love to be big and bad and would be running through the woods chasing deer and shooting like Rambo. I know in NY I won' t even go out on opening day, it sounds like WW2 everyone putting 5 holes into each deer they get, that' s if they even hit there target. Now take the same group of morons and let them go with machine guns, kind of scary???
Who says you need to have a sporting purpose to justify the ownership of a weapon? Who is going to set the standard as to who can or cannot own a particular weapon? What ever happened to the 2nd amendment? Its meaning seems to be lost on some people these days.
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You should also be thankful that ' nutjobs' haven' t discovered high powered scoped hunting rifles. If the DC snipers had chosen an ' 06 with ballistic tip bullets instead of a mousegun, none of their victims would have survived, and they might not have been caught. After the ' assault weapons' are gone, the ' sniper' rifles will be next to go. Count on it.
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Obamanfreude - 1. taking pleasure from the misfortunes of an Obama supporter as he or she is adversely affected by the policies of their Dear Leader.
You guys should check out the latest American Hunter from the NRA. There' s a very scary list of reason why S. Africans have been refused a permit to own a firearm. Keep this post in mind, it' s related.
One of the guiding principles behind the desing of this coutry was to protect the rights of the few from the tyranny of the many. I wonder how many people with a (class III license?) have ever committed a crime with an automatic weapon?
If you' re going to pass laws and penalize folks because them may break a law, then nobody should have a car/truck. I mean I could get drunk and kill or injure someone, or I could leave the keys in it and somebody else clould steal it and commit whatever crime, and so on and so on.
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Days Full Of Clays...
NWTF, DU, SCI
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Obamanfreude - 1. taking pleasure from the misfortunes of an Obama supporter as he or she is adversely affected by the policies of their Dear Leader.
Assault Weapons?
