H.R.6257; Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Introduced in House)

[Susanna]

The real issue isn't "what kind of a gun do you need?" it is about infringement on our rights. And they won't stop with just one type of gun. They'll keep adding to the list until all guns are illegal.

[Susanna]

There are actually many reasons people prefer to use such weapons.

1. They are easy to operate.

2. They are very reliable in outdoor conditions (backpacking, hunting, etc.).

3. They are accurate.

4. They are good for recreational and competitive target shooting.

5. They have value in many self-defense situations.

There are many sports in which such a weapon is required:

1. Three-gun target matches

2. Camp Perry competitions, especially Service Rifle events

3. DCM/CMP competitions

4. Bodyguard simulations

And it's called the Bill of RIGHTS, not the Bill of NEEDS.

"Assault rifles have never been an issue in law enforcement. I have been on this job for 25 years and I haven't seen a drug dealer carry one. They are not used in crimes, they are not used against police officers." - Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Constance, Trenton, NJ, testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee, August 1993

[Nebula]

Actually, it wouldn't.

You must have misunderstood, or you are simply not honestly contemplating the concept. Criminals in the US do in fact pack heat. They use illegally aquired weapons and most do not have any respect for the law. The problem that criminals illegally purchase conceilable semi automatic handguns cannot be remedied. Even with a nationwide ban of weapons it would get even worse. You should be very scared, since criminals do pack semi-automatic pistols and can board buses and enter shopping malls. There is usually a reason why they did not go through the proper channels to take a handgun course at the local police department & aquire a pistol permit, it's along the lines of that they just don't give a f$$k.

While I'm by no means against guns, I just don't see why a regular person needs such a weapon in the first place. I would tend to view such a person as a 'gun nut' which is what scares as you these are the type of people who tend to 'go off' and kill all their co-workers.

Mass murderers can use a gas powered chainsaw, ammonia gas concoctions or an SUV. Guns are simple tools that require permits.

Regarding the gun nuts, first, do you understand what an assault weapon is? Obama & Clinton regard most semi automatic rifles "assault weapons." This includes AR15's (The long black rifle you see our Marines use) and Ak47 type chinese rifles (With the banana clip)

What you should really be worried about is the fact that the bullet from these guns travels down a rifled barrel, and because of this travels much faster and for a longer distance.

Many Pistols are semi automatic as well and there are many more requirements to purchase and conceal, because you can carry them anywhere, spit out 17 shots as fast as you can pull the trigger. You may have heard of people being killed by criminals who aquired these guns illegally.

Also, something that you should be aware of is that criminals can alter the mechanics in a rifle or handgun so that it shoots fully automatic, which is pretty much illegal in most parts, even for law abiding citizens. Conceilable machine pistols like Mac 10's and uzi's are very expensive and hard to find.

These are other guns that you should be very afraid of, and the awful truth is that many criminals own these guns as well, not law abiding citizens. Most affordable "assault weapons" are not that scary. In fact, the easiest gun to buy in the US is a rifle for the reason that it is so big & bulky, its not the best tool to commit mass murder. People can see you coming from a distance and it is very hard to conceil.

All in all, the weapons that you call "assault weapons" are very standard, unconceilable and fire the same high number of shots a glock or other handgun would fire. Ironically, they are the most safest, expensive rifles you can find. Mp5's, Mac 10's, Uzi's and other "machine pistols" are very expensive and if they are altered to fully automatic are very illegal. They are also inaccurate if you do not know what you are doing.

[Guilty]

elavaney,
Maybe you should find someone to take you to the local range and let you shoot one. They are fun to shoot and serve many useful purposes.

And no you don't shoot from the hip, just like you wouldn't offer an opinion without any knowledge of the subject.

[Fantasy Chaser]

I can see a regular gun, but an assault rifle??? Seems like only far-right groups like white supremists would have them.

Kind of scary thinking your next door neighbor has one..........

In the defense against tyranny example that I gave, a military-style semi-auto will come a lot closer to evening the odds against military/police full-auto rifles (the only true assault rifles have select fire) than a bolt-action hunting rifle. "White supremists?" I fear you're buying into stereotype. The MSM give them a lot of press, but the average gun owner is relatively private about his guns. Although I'll volunteer right now that I own a surplus M-14 rifle; and my neighbors have no reason fear me.

Actually, it wouldn't.

While I'm by no means against guns, I just don't see why a regular person needs such a weapon in the first place. I would tend to view such a person as a 'gun nut' which is what scares as you these are the type of people who tend to 'go off' and kill all their co-workers.

What Neil said about rights. And many of the crackpots that have gone on a rampage did so with a handgun. In fact, it is handguns and not semi-auto rifles that are used in the vast majority of gun crimes, including the vast majority of gun murders.

[acolyte]

Why would anyone need a military-style assault rifle??

To keep our gov't from turning tyrannical.

[tirelesscampaigner]

i can understand the second ammendment to some degree so people can have pistols and hunting rifles because those have a practical use, even shotguns sort of but military grade assualt rifles? doesnt that seem a little excessive? i mean how would you use it? i wouldnt really wanna eat a dear with 20 bullets in it id have to pick shells out of my meat all day!

[Emperor Dragon ARX]

Actually, it wouldn't.

While I'm by no means against guns, I just don't see why a regular person needs such a weapon in the first place. I would tend to view such a person as a 'gun nut' which is what scares as you these are the type of people who tend to 'go off' and kill all their co-workers.

It doesn't matter if you ban one group of guns or another, CRIMINALS WILL STILL JUST AS EASILY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THEM. And I would promote the very definition of an assault rifle is protection from government.

To keep our gov't from turning tyrannical.

Bingo.

When the government becomes tyrannical, and you're sitting there defending yourself with a knife in a gunfight, you're going to be asking yourself, "why didn't I support the 2nd amendment?"... :\

[tirelesscampaigner]

well thats weird if the government did become tyranical police state etc with the most high tech weopens known to mankind wouldnt a minority of people with assault rifles not be to much of a hassle? if they become as evil as you say wont they just kil you, your family and the entire suburb in which you live in if you beome a threat? but still even with the assualt rifles how would you get a cohesive training plan and organisational skills, info on the enemy etc you may have the tools but your still out manned outgunned and outskilled in everysingle way. you would need to do more than to shoot a few soldiers with an assault rifle

[Fantasy Chaser]

i can understand the second ammendment to some degree so people can have pistols and hunting rifles because those have a practical use, even shotguns sort of but military grade assualt rifles? doesnt that seem a little excessive? i mean how would you use it? i wouldnt really wanna eat a dear with 20 bullets in it id have to pick shells out of my meat all day!

Not sure, but it looks like you're ignorant about semi-auto vs. full auto. Also, the left targeted handguns for banning long before they went after military-style rifles (twenty years before, in fact).

well thats weird if the government did become tyranical police state etc with the most high tech weopens known to mankind wouldnt a minority of people with assault rifles not be to much of a hassle? if they become as evil as you say wont they just kil you, your family and the entire suburb in which you live in if you beome a threat? but still even with the assualt rifles how would you get a cohesive training plan and organisational skills, info on the enemy etc you may have the tools but your still out manned outgunned and outskilled in everysingle way. you would need to do more than to shoot a few soldiers with an assault rifle

What do you think the Afghan rebels did to the Soviets in the '80s? And what did they do it with? And no, we didn't help them with arms until relatively late in the game. They were playing hell with the Soviets from the word go.