I have already made an irrefutable argument for "needing semi-automatic firearms" above. My buddy has a permanent injury to his wrist ligaments and is unable to cycle his pump shotgun without pain/inaccuracy. He needs to have a semi-automatic shotgun which would resolve this problem for him.

To quote King Lear "O, reason not the need!" When we start having to demonstrate to the satisfaction of others our need to own a firearm, we are no longer free men but the subjects of an oppressive, overbearing government. Further, if you aren't free, aren't you a slave?

When gun banners start rolling out the "no need" argument, be sure they couldcare less about legitimate uses, needs, purposes, etc., of gun use. They are interested in only one thing and one thing alone, banning all guns. Indeed, their strategy is to chip around the edges and whittle us down. I make no compromise on these things. It is unlikely I will ever vote for a Democrat -- no matter how abysmal the Republican candidate is on many issues -- mainly because the Democrats historically keep returning to the Gun Control flame. I'm just not going to get into the "well, you don't really need an assault rifle anyway, so my candidate X voting to ban assault rifles shouldn't trouble you and you can vote for him." In a pig's eye. I don't own an assault rifle and I don't want one, but I will not countenance banning them or other firearms. That includes semi-autos. I don't own any of those either.