Instead of the slow drip, drip, drip of new regs- the fabled slippery slope so feared by the paranoid right I propose a repeal of almost all restrictions on guns except background checks.
In return for which I propose a ban on sale, manufacture or importation of all semi-automatic weapons. In pistol form they are responsible for ~80% of all murders and a majority of household accidents. In long gun form they sell well because once a year hunters are under the delusion that they will stand a greater chance of hitting something if they can pull a trigger quickly.
I’m sure everyone must be familiar with the gross disparity in the death rates by gun here and in Europe. Another example of “American Exceptionalism”. It’s time we joined the civilized few.
Are you including the restricton on the possession and sale of automatic weapons in your list of restrictions that would be repealed?
I think from your post that you understand the distinction between semi-auotmatic and automatic.
Regards,
Shodan
That is not a compromise, that is a massive power grab that includes immediately shitting on the olive branch you offered in the first sentence.
Good point. No, didn’t think of that. I believe these were banned in the '30’s during the gangster wars.
Do you include revolvers under your definition of semi-automatic? They are not the same thing.
Regards,
Shodan
Nope. Believe it or not, it’s still possible to legally buy a fully-automatic machine gun. What the 1934 National Firearms Act did was establish heavy federal registration requirements and a $200 stamp tax (which in the 1930’s was prohibitive; inflation has reduced its effect). It also has to clear your local authorities but if you live in a state where it’s legal, you can be the proud owner of a Thompson submachine gun, an MP5, or even an M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun. In 1986 an amendment slipped under the radar on a firearms bill that closed the federal register to new entries- if one is available you can still buy a pre-1986 machine gun, just not new ones. Furthermore, there are a few legal dodges such as forming a trust which is the legal owner of the firearm; or doing the paperwork and meeting the requirements to officially become a federally licensed gun dealer, who are permitted to possess “sample” machine guns in their inventory. Sell one or two to a local law enforcement agency and viola’, you’re a respectable commissioned salesperson for the gun manufacturer.
Also, any round (other than shotgun shells) that is larger than .50 caliber is now considered a destructive device and heavily taxed; but if you’re willing to pay the freight you can buy a howitzer and shells for it.
We are exceptional. Exceptionally violent. Earlier in this thread someone made the point the even if we eliminated all firearms deaths we would still have a violent crime rate higher than that in Great Britain, where handguns are all but banned.
This speaks of cultural and structural problems that cannot be solved by simply banning guns and joining the “civilized few”. The comparisons between here and there simply aren’t valid, either pro-gun or anti-gun.
No I didn’t. But in an ideal world those would be gone too. The sole purpose of a handgun is to kill other people. Individuals who are interested in target shooting will buy the single shot bull barrel target pistol if they are serious about it.
You are quite probably right, but at least there would not be as many deaths. Using a gun is more like push-button warfare compared to up close and personal with say a knife or a baseball bat or your bare hands.
On another point that is often heard that we should do more about the crazy people among us and forget about guns, you know the hoary “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” They must imagine that other countries don’t have as many crazy people per capita which is patently false.
I own lots of handguns. I’ve used them a lot, but never to kill a person. Am I doing it wrong?
Yes, I guess you are. What else can you do with one that you can’t do better with a long gun? Quick draw and pounding nails are the only things I can think of.
Well, carry it discreetly, for one. keep it in my nightstand (loaded! :eek:), for another. It’s just more fun to poke holes in paper with a semi-auto handgun. Requires more skill too.