The Assault Weapon Myth

[Teddy B 17,252]

I think its the notion that outlawing something that harms maybe 150 people a year (I'm using the 2012 stat which is all rifles and then drawing a conclusion that less than half are AWs) is penalizing the people that want them and use them safely.

How does outlawing assault weapons penalize anyone? It doesn't take away their right to bear arms.

I'd like to drive my car 150mph down the highway because I like to go that fast, but it's illegal. Am I being penalized, or is it the right thing to do for the greater good? Driving 150mph serves absolutely no purpose other than satisfying my own self needs. It's the same with assault weapons.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

How does outlawing assault weapons penalize anyone? It doesn't take away their right to bear arms.

It doesn't. There are many types of arms that private citizens are banned from owning and nobody argues that that infringes on the right to bear arms. Well, some do argue that but nobody takes them seriously.

[Sousuke 1,214]

How does outlawing assault weapons penalize anyone? It doesn't take away their right to bear arms.

I'd like to drive my car 150mph down the highway because I like to go that fast, but it's illegal. Am I being penalized, or is it the right thing to do for the greater good? Driving 150mph serves absolutely no purpose other than satisfying my own self needs. It's the same with assault weapons.

No it doesn't take away there full rights, and before I continue I want to make a point that I did not bring up the whole 'car' thing in case its used against me later.

Your analogy would be more accurate if you said "All cars capable of doing 150 are banned". As a car collector who likes cars but doesn't break the speed limit, wouldn't you feel penalized if you couldn't by X classic car anymore?

Edited September 15, 2014 by Sousuke

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Isn't that most laws?

Speeding laws only penalize speeders. DUI laws penalize drunk drivers. They don't penalize everyone, just those who violate them.

No it doesn't take away there full rights, and before I continue I want to make a point that I did not bring up the whole 'car' thing in case its used against me later.

Your analogy would be more accurate if you said "All cars capable of doing 150 are banned". As a car collector who likes cars but doesn't break the speed limit, wouldn't you feel penalized if you couldn't by X classic car anymore?

Stop being logical.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If speeding is outlawed, only outlaws will speed.

[Teddy B 17,252]

No it doesn't take away there full rights, and before I continue I want to make a point that I did not bring up the whole 'car' thing in case its used against me later.

Your analogy would be more accurate if you said "All cars capable of doing 150 are banned". As a car collector who likes cars but doesn't break the speed limit, wouldn't you feel penalized if you couldn't by X classic car anymore?

I agree your analogy is better. I don't believe that banning all cars capable of doing 150mph would be a penalty to the average car owner. An inconvenience maybe, but not a penalty. Everyone who is capable of driving a vehicle will still be able to do so.

As for collectors, I have said in the past that some type of exemption could be made for collectors. Special licenses and regulations perhaps.

[Karee 4,191]

As for collectors, I have said in the past that some type of exemption could be made for collectors. Special licenses and regulations perhaps.

I get a feeling that exemption would be taken advantage of. If they're going to go down the road of banning civilians firearms, they should ban them all. No exceptions. If they have exceptions, people will use them as a way to get around the spirit of the law.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I get a feeling that exemption would be taken advantage of. If they're going to go down the road of banning civilians firearms, they should ban them all. No exceptions. If they have exceptions, people will use them as a way to get around the spirit of the law.

I'm sure it would be, nothing is going to be perfect. I'm not advocating the banning of all civilian firearms, although it's not something I would fight against if it were to happen.

[Karee 4,191]

I'm sure it would be, nothing is going to be perfect. I'm not advocating the banning of all civilian firearms, although it's not something I would fight against if it were to happen.

If there were a way to get all of the firearms, legal and illegal out of the hands of civilians, I would be 100% for banning them. They serve no purpose at all. There would be no need to "protect" yourself from other people with firearms. Or course the military and some special civilian tactical units should have them. Kinda like the commies in Europe.

I do realize this country was founded on the blood of patriots under the liberty tree and all that stuff, but that was almost 250 years ago.