It's time to show all you assault rifle hating flower weenies the truth!!!!

[mrmitchell]

A Constitutional ban wouldn't do any good anyways, though. If people want them, they'll get them some way or another.

You can't put the cat back in the bag.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by mrmitchell
A Constitutional ban wouldn't do any good anyways, though. If people want them, they'll get them some way or another.

You can't put the cat back in the bag.

I wouldn't be too sure. In western countries where weapon-ownership is restricted, it is pretty difficult to obtain a smuggled weapon, and I have never heard of assault weapons wielded by petty criminals.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

its all in the culture - americans feel the need to have guns, prolly a throwback to the days of the old west. europeans are used to not having anything (the feudal lords didnt allow arms of any sort) so thats why even when illegal, very few europeans have them.

[Odd]

What I am really pissed is why can't I have a nuclear weapon! You know, nukes are soooo cool, and if the soviets or the chinese invade, I want to be able to protect my family, ya know. Although I agree that maybe there should be some restrictions for people that have already used nukes against civilians before, I don't know a reason that they deny us of our freedom to carry nuclear weapons!

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
its all in the culture - americans feel the need to have guns, prolly a throwback to the days of the old west.

Such is conciliable with restricted gun ownership. In particular, hunting rifles are quite widespread in France. One needs a hunting permit to obtain weapons in this category.
It is also possible to own handguns if you belong to a shooting range. I don't think France's laws are radically different from its neighbours'.

europeans are used to not having anything (the feudal lords didnt allow arms of any sort) so thats why even when illegal, very few europeans have them.

True. But the mentalities can only progress if the law is made in the first place.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

nah, im not against guns, just explaining why americans want them and europeans dont want them.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

more guns dont always mean more killings - geneva has 300,000 guns and 300,000 people and thats one of the safest cities in the world (not deaths by guns)

[ixnay]

assault weapons != automatic weapons

Automatic weapons are still banned as far as I know, guys; the assault weapons ban mostly banned weapons that fell under ridiculous guidelines for how they looked.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by ixnay
the assault weapons ban mostly banned weapons that fell under ridiculous guidelines for how they looked.

No. The ones that were banned were banned because they were easily concealable, had flash suppressors, and had magazines of more than ten bullets. These were not weapons for people who like to hunt animals, but for people who like to hunt humans.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

I'm torn on the bill. I've become more and more supportive of gun owner rights since Bush has come into power...but its more because his administration scares me.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


No. The ones that were banned were banned because they were easily concealable, had flash suppressors, and had magazines of more than ten bullets. These were not weapons for people who like to hunt animals, but for people who like to hunt humans.

Or to defend yourself from being hunted.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by PLATO
Or to defend yourself from being hunted.

How can you defend yourself for being hunted if you conceal your firepower?

[Patroklos]

Why do we have plain clothed cops and cop cars? Not knowing makes it a deterent all of the time, instead of just when I can see it. Old adage about land mine signs being much more effective than land mines themselves.

I always thought we should just tax ammunition insanely as well as reduce production. Guns last forever, ammunition doesn't. Ammunition is produced to exacting specifications, so you probobly won't see too many people producing their own. Also, while it would be more expensive you could still procure a few shotgun shells to go hunting or fill your home defense magizine, but not 600 rounds of 5.62 to go rob a bank.

And ammunition is NOT protected by the constitution.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Patroklos
Why do we have plain clothed cops and cop cars? Not knowing makes it a deterent all of the time, instead of just when I can see it. Old adage about land mine signs being much more effective than land mines themselves.

Uhm, land mine signs being more effective than landmines themselves would contradict the point you're trying to make. Lands mines are concealed. When you put a sign there, they aren't.

[Alexander's Horse]

I can't see any justification at all for citizens to own military style assault rifles or other automatic weapons.