We think: Assault-weapons ban one way to fight back against violent crime

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Quite expectedly, gun zealots are on the defensive following the recent shooting rampages in Alabama and Germany.

"The enemies of Liberty will use anything as an excuse to rape our civil rights," read a recent blog post by a gun activist.

Please, spare us the righteous indignation.

Most sensible people understand the difference between the legitimate, constitutional right to bear arms and the rat-a-tat chaos inflicted by assault weapons.

If people want to protect their homes they don't need an assault weapon.

It's time to get new ones off the streets by reinstating the assault-weapons ban that expired in 2004.

President Barack Obama has the political juice to make it happen, and it's on his list of things to do. He's said so on the campaign trial.

Go for it, sir.

Advancements in technology have enabled people to arm themselves beyond reasonable means. Coupled with the elimination of the assault-weapons ban, the prospect of more violence is alarming.

Getting these guns off the streets would make them safer. Why else would so many police chiefs and sheriffs, people not generally associated with wobbly-kneed liberals, agree?

In Alabama, 11 people — including the shooter — died after a barrage of bullets from a Bushmaster AR-15-style assault rifle and an SKS assault rifle. The shooter reportedly fired an excess of 200 rounds during the assault. He used high-capacity magazines taped together so when one was spent, it would be easier to reload.

Gun enthusiasts will argue that in some instances, all it takes is a couple of cosmetic features to make a gun fit the definition of an assault weapon. After all, a garden-variety hunting rifle works the same way as the most sinister-looking assault rifle — one shot per trigger pull.

But assault rifles mimic the design of military weapons that are meant to kill people, not deer, and sometimes feature such charming options as muzzle flash suppressors and bayonet mounts.

Banning assault weapons will help protect us in other ways: It's expected to help slow the flow of guns going across the Mexican border, which has been a hot spot for violence in recent months.

Mexican government officials are pointing accusatory fingers at the U.S. because of the availability of such guns from this country.

As in Mexico and its drug cartels, assault weapons seem to become guns of choice in the drug subculture.

Orlando Police Chief Val Demings understands the danger locally. She has no quarrel with true sporting-gun enthusiasts or those who want to protect their homes.

But Ms. Demings has serious concerns over criminals and other dangerous characters having such easy access to assault weapons, as if arming themselves for Armageddon. That's what it looks like on some of our nation's streets today. She sees it. Most of those who argue so passionately to protect assault weapons do not.

In Orange County alone, deputies have seized 321 AK-47s, AR-15s and other high-powered weapons between 2003 and 2007. And of the 42 murders in Orlando last year, five involved assault weapons, including the triple-murder at The Palms Apartments.

We understand that banning the sale of new assault weapons isn't a cure for violent crime. Having a more effective way of tracing guns that are sold by their original owner is equally important.

But reinstating the ban on assault weapons is a good place to start.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinio...0,4845042.story

[peejay 327]

While we are at it we should ban illegal aliens too. Our jails are full of them and they commit numerous crimes (in addition to murder) here in the USA even though they have absolutely no right to be in our country in the first place. I'm a hell of a lot more afraid of the illegal alien invasion than I am of my fellow law abiding US citizens with so called assault weapons.

Since Obama refuses to secure the border and openly professes his love for his illegal aliens...I feel it is in my best interest to keep my assault weapons and buy even more of them along with extra ammo.

True dat!

[john & jean 37]

While we are at it we should ban illegal aliens too. Our jails are full of them and they commit numerous crimes (in addition to murder) here in the USA even though they have absolutely no right to be in our country in the first place. I'm a hell of a lot more afraid of the illegal alien invasion than I am of my fellow law abiding US citizens with so called assault weapons.

Since Obama refuses to secure the border and openly professes his love for his illegal aliens...I feel it is in my best interest to keep my assault weapons and buy even more of them along with extra ammo.

True dat!

yep, and alot more feel that way. the prices of assault weapons reflect this. the 7.62x39 prices have doubled and then some in the past year!!

[Heracles 417]

While we are at it we should ban illegal aliens too. Our jails are full of them and they commit numerous crimes (in addition to murder) here in the USA even though they have absolutely no right to be in our country in the first place. I'm a hell of a lot more afraid of the illegal alien invasion than I am of my fellow law abiding US citizens with so called assault weapons.

Since Obama refuses to secure the border and openly professes his love for his illegal aliens...I feel it is in my best interest to keep my assault weapons and buy even more of them along with extra ammo.

True dat!

Libs barking up the wrong tree is nothing new in this country.

This genius and those like him will beat on about guns but totally dismiss the thousands of Americans killed each and every year at the hands of illegal immigrants.

Yes this is a tragedy and nobody should own high powered weapons but the country has bigger problems to worry about, like illegal immigrants. Millions of people who are roaming this country that we know little or nothing about. People that could easily commit a crime and leave within a moments notice.

Edited March 24, 2009 by Constellation

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"Mexican law enforcement authorities and soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons. Perhaps 90% of these weapons are smuggled across the US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and California.

AK-47 assault rifles are literally bought a hundred at a time and illegally brought into Mexico. Mexican authorities routinely seize BOXES of unopened automatic military weapons. The confiscation rates by Mexican law enforcement of hand grenades, RPG’s, and AK-47’s are at the level of wartime battlefield seizures. It is hard to understand the seeming indifference and incompetence of US authorities at state and Federal level to such callous disregard for a national security threat to a neighboring democratic state. We would consider it an act of warfare from a sanctuary state if we were the victim.

The bottom line---the US is ineffective and unresponsive to Mexican concerns about weapons, bulk cash, and precursor chemicals flowing south into Mexico from the United States--- with a blow-torch effect on the security of the Mexican people."

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/Me...cember_2008.pdf

[natty bumppo 297]

"Mexican law enforcement authorities and soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons. Perhaps 90% of these weapons are smuggled across the US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and California.

AK-47 assault rifles are literally bought a hundred at a time and illegally brought into Mexico. Mexican authorities routinely seize BOXES of unopened automatic military weapons. The confiscation rates by Mexican law enforcement of hand grenades, RPG’s, and AK-47’s are at the level of wartime battlefield seizures. It is hard to understand the seeming indifference and incompetence of US authorities at state and Federal level to such callous disregard for a national security threat to a neighboring democratic state. We would consider it an act of warfare from a sanctuary state if we were the victim.

The bottom line---the US is ineffective and unresponsive to Mexican concerns about weapons, bulk cash, and precursor chemicals flowing south into Mexico from the United States--- with a blow-torch effect on the security of the Mexican people."

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/Me...cember_2008.pdf

what ... no serial numbers to track back to the supposed dealers so these dealers can be jailed (hint: dealers must maintain records of firearms in their possession) especially Title II firearms. These dealers who sold "new in boxes" quantities of Title II firearms in direct violation of the NFA 1986 aren't being prosecuted? It's hard to fathom that there were so many unsold NIB Title II firearms on dealers shelves for the past 20+ years.

[Heracles 417]

So what's the current admin going to do about it.

"Mexican law enforcement authorities and soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons. Perhaps 90% of these weapons are smuggled across the US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and California.

AK-47 assault rifles are literally bought a hundred at a time and illegally brought into Mexico. Mexican authorities routinely seize BOXES of unopened automatic military weapons. The confiscation rates by Mexican law enforcement of hand grenades, RPG’s, and AK-47’s are at the level of wartime battlefield seizures. It is hard to understand the seeming indifference and incompetence of US authorities at state and Federal level to such callous disregard for a national security threat to a neighboring democratic state. We would consider it an act of warfare from a sanctuary state if we were the victim.

The bottom line---the US is ineffective and unresponsive to Mexican concerns about weapons, bulk cash, and precursor chemicals flowing south into Mexico from the United States--- with a blow-torch effect on the security of the Mexican people."

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/Me...cember_2008.pdf

I didn't realize this is happening. This is ridiculous if it's the case. Why are we spending hundreds of millions to fight drug wars when our own people are supplying them with the weapons. This should be a federal felony.

Edited March 24, 2009 by Constellation

[baron555 934]

soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons.

OK, Mr Fancypants, if automatic weapons have been banned for decades in the US, tell me just how the Mexican drug cartel is getting these from the US?

These are the same weapons that the Mexican Army is carrying.

Quite a coincidence, I must say.

Care to expand, FAncy?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons.

OK, Mr Fancypants, if automatic weapons have been banned for decades in the US, tell me just how the Mexican drug cartel is getting these from the US?

These are the same weapons that the Mexican Army is carrying.

Quite a coincidence, I must say.

Care to expand, FAncy?

Maybe you missed this part...

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

I'd suggest you write to the good General and ask him yourself.

[natty bumppo 297]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"Mexican law enforcement authorities and soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons. Perhaps 90% of these weapons are smuggled across the US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and California.

AK-47 assault rifles are literally bought a hundred at a time and illegally brought into Mexico. Mexican authorities routinely seize BOXES of unopened automatic military weapons. The confiscation rates by Mexican law enforcement of hand grenades, RPG's, and AK-47's are at the level of wartime battlefield seizures. It is hard to understand the seeming indifference and incompetence of US authorities at state and Federal level to such callous disregard for a national security threat to a neighboring democratic state. We would consider it an act of warfare from a sanctuary state if we were the victim.

The bottom line---the US is ineffective and unresponsive to Mexican concerns about weapons, bulk cash, and precursor chemicals flowing south into Mexico from the United States--- with a blow-torch effect on the security of the Mexican people."

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/Me...cember_2008.pdf

what ... no serial numbers to track back to the supposed dealers so these dealers can be jailed (hint: dealers must maintain records of firearms in their possession) especially Title II firearms. These dealers who sold "new in boxes" quantities of Title II firearms in direct violation of the NFA 1986 aren't being prosecuted? It's hard to fathom that there were so many unsold NIB Title II firearms on dealers shelves for the past 20+ years.

So maybe General McCaffrey just doesn't know what the heck he is talking about?

[Pooky 3,794]

Gun enthusiasts will argue that in some instances, all it takes is a couple of cosmetic features to make a gun fit the definition of an assault weapon. After all, a garden-variety hunting rifle works the same way as the most sinister-looking assault rifle — one shot per trigger pull.

Wrong there.

Assault Rifle: A relatively light and short rifle (usually enough so to be considered a carbine), capable of both fully automatic and semiautomatic fire, usually ...www.davearonson.net/gun/guntech.html

An assault rifle, in its true form, is designed to fire rifle calibre rounds, both in single shot mode, or on automatic, without the need to manually ####### the weapon between each shot, unlike a hunting rifle, where the firer has to work the bolt action mechanism for every round. Unless the assault rifle has been specifically limited to single shot mode, it is fully capable of blasting through a 30 round magazine in 5 seconds or less.

As I have said previously, the American population in general in no way, shape, or form correspond to an organised militia - they're certainly not organised, although they can be downright militant at times.

Assault weapons have no business being available to the population at large. Take the assault weapons away from the general public and you're left with the military, the police and the bad guys. So if you're not in uniform, you're fair game.

[Heracles 417]

So maybe General McCaffrey just doesn't know what the heck he is talking about?

In all fairness my really good mate Mega Nerd (Hal 9000) also posted quite a few links showing that up to 90% of the guns seized from drug dealers came from the US. I wouldn't put it past some large corporation to be selling these weapons to them for a profit.

[natty bumppo 297]

"Mexican law enforcement authorities and soldiers face heavily armed drug gangs with high-powered military automatic weapons. Perhaps 90% of these weapons are smuggled across the US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and US border. They are frequently purchased from licensed US gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, and California.

AK-47 assault rifles are literally bought a hundred at a time and illegally brought into Mexico. Mexican authorities routinely seize BOXES of unopened automatic military weapons. The confiscation rates by Mexican law enforcement of hand grenades, RPG's, and AK-47's are at the level of wartime battlefield seizures. It is hard to understand the seeming indifference and incompetence of US authorities at state and Federal level to such callous disregard for a national security threat to a neighboring democratic state. We would consider it an act of warfare from a sanctuary state if we were the victim.

The bottom line---the US is ineffective and unresponsive to Mexican concerns about weapons, bulk cash, and precursor chemicals flowing south into Mexico from the United States--- with a blow-torch effect on the security of the Mexican people."

~ After Action Report—General Barry R McCaffrey USA (Ret)

http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/Me...cember_2008.pdf

what ... no serial numbers to track back to the supposed dealers so these dealers can be jailed (hint: dealers must maintain records of firearms in their possession) especially Title II firearms. These dealers who sold "new in boxes" quantities of Title II firearms in direct violation of the NFA 1986 aren't being prosecuted? It's hard to fathom that there were so many unsold NIB Title II firearms on dealers shelves for the past 20+ years.

So maybe General McCaffrey just doesn't know what the heck he is talking about?

politics aside ... lets see some hard data for these "boxes" of automatic weapons sent from US dealers ... and prosecutions for the dealers for violating FOPA 86 and GCA 68, and NFA. Otherwise ... sorry to say this ... it's BS given current US laws if people aren't doing time in the US.

[Heracles 417]

Never thought I would be assisting cry_baby_pants with Mega Nerds (Hal 9000) links but they interesting.

U.S. Guns Behind Cartel Killings in Mexico

U.S. Gun Trial Echoes in Drug-Torn Mexico

ATF chief: Most illegal guns seized in Mexico are from U.S.

August 12, 2008

EL PASO, Texas – Nearly all illegal guns seized in Mexico come from the United States, the head of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said yesterday.

ATF acting director Michael Sullivan said investigators have traced 90 percent to 95 percent of the weapons found in Mexico to the United States. Generally, only law enforcement officers or military personnel can legally possess guns in Mexico.

Edited March 24, 2009 by Constellation