Upcoming Assault Weapons Ban

[GUATARICCAN]

So one of the reasons the Attorney general is saying we need this permanent assualt weapon ban is because it will help slow the violence in Mexico!! WTF!!!??
I think these bans will do nothing to slow or stop the violence in ANOTHER FREAKING COUNTRY!!!  We can't even prevent mexican people themselves from going back and forth across the border what makes them think they can stop weapons?
I'm not in the market to buy any more assault weapons, thank god I bought all mine last year, but I think it's bullshit I won't be able to if I do decide I want another one. What are your feelings on this topic?

[janetmschulte]

Pardon my lack of gun knowledge, but what constitutes an assault weapon? Also, is the ban nationwide, and when will it go into effect?

[Defense54]

Pardon my lack of gun knowledge, but what constitutes an assault weapon? Also, is the ban nationwide, and when will it go into effect?

Semi Automatic Riffle.  The Weapon has the ability to shoot several bullets at a time instead of just one.  Unfortunately I see 18-19 yr old kids getting these Mods done to their weapons at gun shows all the time. I don't think its necessary and I'm for the Ban. But there are so many on the market already it almost doesn't matter. But it will be nice to know you can't just walk in a shop and get your riffle modded anymore.

[Sunstroke]

Defining assault weapons is a little more detailed... There are certain features that the weapon must contain two or more of, like a detachable clip, flash suppressor, certain types of pistol grips, folding stock, etc...

Assault weapons really aren't the big problem out there as far as guns go, as they account for a very minuscule percentage of overall gun crimes. This sort of legislation has no chance of having any real effect on the problems in mexico, because they'll simply get the guns somewhere else.

Personally, I am not a gun guy...way too noisy for my tastes.

[GUATARICCAN]

Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Folding stock
pistol grip
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
Grenade launcher (more precisely, a muzzle device which enables the launching or firing of rifle grenades)

Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip
Threaded barrel to attach barrel extender, flash suppressor, handgrip, or suppressor
Barrel shroud that can be used as a hand-hold
Unloaded weight of 50 oz (1.4 kg) or more
A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm

Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following:
Folding or telescoping stock
Pistol grip
Fixed capacity of more than 5 rounds
Detachable magazine

That's the politicians criteria for one, but the real term, I believe, is any select fire rifle is considered an assualt rifle. Any rifle that can be switched from semi, to full auto, and even 3 shot bursts. ex. AKs, ARs, Uzis, etc.

And yes the ban will be nationwide and unlike the last one that ended in 2004 they want this one to be permanent. No idea when it will take effect, probably not for another year or two I say.

[GUATARICCAN]

And what do you mean by MODs Defense? After market attachments like rails, stocks, forward grips, scopes, lasers? Or do you mean illegally making one full auto?

[Frimp]

Next will be semi automatic handguns. They will find a way to ban everything eventually.

[Phishfan]

I am a gun owner and I really don't know what to think. Some weapons do deserve to be banned though. No one is going to outlaw guns altogether though.

[bsmooth]

Pardon my lack of gun knowledge, but what constitutes an assault weapon? Also, is the ban nationwide, and when will it go into effect?

It was originally geared towards weapons designed for war, not hunting such as the AK-47, M-16, etc. Bills have been introduced that would ban weapons that even looked like these weapons even though they are not the same.

[Brian Fein]

forgive my ignorance but why do people need to own assault rifles?

I understand people wanting to own guns for defense or for hunting, and that's all fine, but an assault rifle, seems to me, is only useful in combat. 

[Defense54]

And what do you mean by MODs Defense? After market attachments like rails, stocks, forward grips, scopes, lasers? Or do you mean illegally making one full auto?

Thats the Problem..........making it full Auto IS NOT illegal.  Its done all the time at gun shows in minutes.  No civilian has the need for a fully automatic weapon. Most Law enforcement as well . If you need to use a fully automatic weapon to Hunt , thats not really hunting.........its murder.

[GUATARICCAN]

Thats the Problem..........making it full Auto IS NOT illegal.  Its done all the time at gun shows in minutes.  No civilian has the need for a fully automatic weapon. Most Law enforcement as well . If you need to use a fully automatic weapon to Hunt , thats not really hunting.........its murder.

I don't know what kind of gun shows you go to but that seems highly unlikely. Every gun show I've been to has a heavy supply of officers inside and out. And vendors at these gun shows would lose their FFLs and face serious prison time if they were doing these types of things in a open area such as a gun show. So I say you saw something else and assumed it was being "modded". And besides aren't you a police officer? Arrest their asses next time!! 

[janetmschulte]

Well, if that is the case, I don't see the need for anyone to be walking around with one of these things unless they are in Baghdad. I agree with the ban, but I don't see how it is going to do anyone any good in Mexico??

[Dave Gray]

Even though I don't care for guns, I still don't find "Why would someone need an assault weapon" a good enough reason to make them illegal.  A right to arms is a constitutional right, so you have to be careful when you ouotlaw stuff.

I'm a big fan of restrictions to gun ownership.  Slowing down the purchase process and putting in safety checks, gun licenses, etc. -- I'm all for it.

I'd have to see the assault weapon ban and what it would entail before I comment more.

[Gabriel]

Thats the Problem..........making it full Auto IS NOT illegal.  Its done all the time at gun shows in minutes.  No civilian has the need for a fully automatic weapon. Most Law enforcement as well . If you need to use a fully automatic weapon to Hunt , thats not really hunting.........its murder.

If LE can have full auto rifles, than I want them too.