Concerning so-called "assault rifles" and the proposed ban thereupon -- I have a few things to say. No -- actually, I have just one thing to say:
Jesuschrist when is the stupidity going to end? You can't say "that there is an assault rifle" as if there was otherwise such thing as a "cuddle gun" that gives you a hug instead of putting a hole in you, or a "warm blanket rifle" that tucks itself around you to keep you from getting a chill. This "assault rifle" thing is beyond stupid, something only a nanny-wannabe from Betty Friedan's suburban hell could possibly think actually was a sane category. Guns, rifles, knives, etc., are weapons, and weapons have one main purpose, and that is to assault the other fool before he can assault you. That's what self-defense is, by the way (let me just insert this here for the benefit of all those people who keep whining about the US and its "pre-emptive wars"). It's not some sort of Disneyesque ideal of standing Staunch and Firm and Frowning Authoritatively and Speaking in a Loud, Clear, Calm Voice to the world's villains until they are overcome with the shame of their own perfidy and slink away to sulk in a cave.
Anyway, Frank's list is funny. Read it.
Posted by Andrea Harris at May 18, 2003 10:31 PMThis may be a good marketing gimmick for gun manufacturers to try. Semi-automatic cuddle guns. I think you may be on to something here.
Posted by: Dean Esmay at May 18, 2003 at 10:52 PMAawwe come on now, don't You cuddle your guns?
Of course, if you are like me, you might have too many to show them that Special Attention poor old guns need.
Posted by: kellyds at May 19, 2003 at 12:36 AMDo these "assault rifle" detractors consider that every firearm, every air-power pellet arm, every knife, and every pointy stick (including a pencil) can be used to ASSAULT someone and therefore these things are ASSAULT WEAPONS!?! Of course not! These neo-Communist Lunatics are too busy preventing people like us from having rational discussions about touchy subjects and promoting only the "proper free speech" as they see it.
Posted by: John Hysmith at May 19, 2003 at 11:09 AMHmmm. Actually, I'm thinking they're all "battery" rifles rather than assualt rifles. Unless you just point them and hope it scares people.
The media clearly use the terminology wrongly, usually showing a picture of an Uzi or something when using the term. An assualt rifle, though, does have a definition:
Specifically, a rifle is considered an "assault weapon" if it can accept a detachable magazine, and possesses two or more of the following features:Folding or telescopic stock
Pistol grip protruding conspicuously beneath the stock
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor or threaded barrel
Grenade launcher
See here for a fuller analysis. (No, not a self-link.)
Posted by: James Joyner at May 19, 2003 at 11:47 AMThat's the definition written into the law, but the law was passed as a result of a public panic fed by images of AK-47s and Uzis.
And as a matter of fact, the most widespread use of firearms, by good guys and bad, is to scare people (or at least inspire caution) rather than shoot them...
Posted by: McGehee at May 19, 2003 at 01:45 PMI've never understood why having a detachable magazine is a qualification for the dreaded "assault rifle". Seems to me, if you can detach the gun from its ammunition, it's safer. In fact, the more ammunition you can detach your gun from at one time, the safer it is.
I, for one, think people should be allowed to keep their detachable guns...
Posted by: dipnut at May 19, 2003 at 05:11 PMI don't cuddle my guns. Stroke them, maybe. Now, if I had a plush, padded gun with a velour slipcover... but let's not go somewhere like that. Besides, you can't get the smell of gunpowder out of velour.
Posted by: Sigivald at May 19, 2003 at 06:22 PMSo, like, what's wrong with the smell of gunpowder? ;)
Posted by: Andrea Harris at May 19, 2003 at 07:10 PMLittle late, but just to follow up on Joyner and McGehee: That is the "legal" definition only under one statute (as noted). Outside of that, there is no such thing as an "assault weapon". There is such a thing as an "assault rifle", whose primary defining characteristic is "selective fire", i.e., capability of fully automatic fire.
A semiautomatic is not an "assault rifle".
Posted by: Ken Summers at May 20, 2003 at 02:33 PM