# Obama restrictions on Ammo, real? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289 "2009-08-13T14:31:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/41 "2009-08-13T17:52:38Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > I wouldn’t recommend trying to use us as an example on your side. The ban on handguns was and continues to be very popular here. We don’t have the same… uh… “relationship” as you do with items whose sole use is to make living things become dead. it’s not popular with former gun owners. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/42 "2009-08-13T17:55:23Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your argument is that people are reacting to federal legislation. People are reacting to state legislation that can now be voted on nationally from a political party that has enough votes to pass it. This is not a ban on guns but an end run around it by making ammunition expensive. It has a very real chance of passing just as higher taxes were on cigarettes. And on what basis to you claim it “has a very real chance of passing”? Do you know something you’re not sharing? > [@](#): > > If you want to argue that the probability is low that’s fine but people are reacting to legislation proposed on a state level from a party that currently holds all the federal votes. OVER reaction based on FUD, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/43 "2009-08-13T17:56:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > People are reacting to state legislation that has repeatedly failed to pass… by panicking about federal legislation that doesn’t exist? The NRA scare machine must be _really_ effective. Who’s panicking? People are stocking up on items that politicians want to make more expensive. The current federal voting situation is in ADDITION to state efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/44 "2009-08-13T17:59:47Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Who’s panicking? People are stocking up on items that politicians want to make more expensive. The current federal voting situation is in ADDITION to state efforts. So the federal legislation that doesn’t actually exist + the state legislation that hasn’t passed (and is not currently pending in any of the 22 states where it was introduced) = time to cannon up? Actually, the more that I think about this, the more I hope you’re right. And, of course, I hope [Chris Rock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFcVwDw4YLE) gets the credit. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/45 "2009-08-13T17:59:58Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your argument is that people are reacting to federal legislation. People are reacting to state legislation that can now be voted on nationally from a political party that has enough votes to pass it. This is not a ban on guns but an end run around it by making ammunition expensive. It has a very real chance of passing just as higher taxes were on cigarettes. > > If you want to argue that the probability is low that’s fine but people are reacting to legislation proposed on a state level from a party that currently holds all the federal votes. Where is the Federal Legislation that can be voted on nationally? We’re gonna need a cite for that… So far, you’ve only cited STATE legislation that has been defeated everywhere its been tried. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/46 "2009-08-13T18:00:08Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > OVER reaction based on FUD, IMO. Again, you’re entitled to your opinion but the second a federal politician suggests it the level of hoarding will go up considerably. If it doesn’t affect the price of toilet paper and it stimulates the economy why do you care? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/47 "2009-08-13T18:02:06Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Who’s panicking? People are stocking up on items that politicians want to make more expensive. The current federal voting situation is in ADDITION to state efforts. And by stocking up (panic buying a resource that is not limited except by demand at this time - supply can’t keep up) - the price is going up, making it more expensive, which proves that which doesnt exist muyst exist, which fuels the fire. Surely you see the loop you’re in? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/48 "2009-08-13T18:04:13Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Where is the Federal Legislation that can be voted on nationally? We’re gonna need a cite for that… So far, you’ve only cited STATE legislation that has been defeated everywhere its been tried. I never said ther was federal legislation. I said the party that sponsors this legislation on a state level now has a full majority vote on the federal level. I have stuff to do so I’ll let you argue amongst yourselves as to why people would actually hoard items that politicians have tried to raise the price on. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/49 "2009-08-13T18:06:07Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I have stuff to do so I’ll let you argue amongst yourselves as to why people would actually hoard items that politicians have tried to raise the price on. I’d love to participate, but I have to go out and find some 80-gallon drums in case they increase the Federal excise tax on gasoline. I hear that’s happened before! ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/50 "2009-08-13T18:28:12Z")
An interesting thread. A friend (avid gun owner) told me a few months ago that Obama has signed a law to make ammo “hard to get” and he was outraged. I couldn’t get any more info out of him except that apparently he had been to the range and they didn’t have his size because of Obama’s new law. I have to say I was outraged too and disappointed in Obama and I don’t own a gun or have any particular liking for them. It just seemed a bit heavy handed the way it was described to me but I could never get any more concrete info (when I bothered to try.) Sounds like somebody is spreading fear and panic. Now, who would want to do such a thing? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/51 "2009-08-13T18:29:40Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > Sounds like somebody is spreading fear and panic. Now, who would want to do such a thing? Cobra Commander? ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/52 "2009-08-13T18:46:14Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I never said ther was federal legislation. I said the party that sponsors this legislation on a state level now has a full majority vote on the federal level. What you’re implying is that the Democratic congress may take the issue national. Sadly, for you, there is no basis for that fear. Except those pesky Dems, of course. We all know those Dems hate dem guns and are gonna do everything they can to take 'em away from you, right? :rolleyes: Evil bad lib’ruls. ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/53 "2009-08-13T18:51:09Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > items whose sole use is to make living things become dead. This is incorrect. Firearms are also used for various forms of target shooting, which isn’t predicated on the ability of the firearm to make living things become dead. In fact, some firearms and ammo used for target shooting is particularly ill-suited for making living things become dead, although like many things, it’s still potentially dangerous if misused. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/54 "2009-08-13T19:25:15Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > I wouldn’t recommend trying to use us as an example on your side. The ban on handguns was and continues to be very popular here. We don’t have the same… uh… “relationship” as you do with items whose sole use is to make living things become dead. Sometimes some living things need to be made dead. If someone attempts to kill you or a family member, for example, then they need to be made dead. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/55 "2009-08-13T20:14:09Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > What you’re implying is that the Democratic congress may take the issue national. Sadly, for you, there is no basis for that fear. Except those pesky Dems, of course. > > We all know those Dems hate dem guns and are gonna do everything they can to take 'em away from you, right? :rolleyes: > > Evil bad lib’ruls. I wonder if **Magiver** has given this subject any more thought than the immediate ‘the Dems have always been gun grabbers’. The Republican party is in shambles, with moderates trying to distance themselves from the far right fringe that has taken over. That is good news for the Democrats. The dumbest thing the Democrats could do right now is give the moderate Republicans a reason to go back and give support to the GOP. Any type of gun control is exactly the type of thing to do just that. The Dems would be shooting themselves in the foot. Gun control is a wedge issue. You don’t use it against yourself. In fact, not doing exactly what Republicans fear may swing a few of the moderate Republicans away from the GOP for good. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/56 "2009-08-13T20:52:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Your argument is that people are reacting to federal legislation. People are reacting to state legislation that can now be voted on nationally from a political party that has enough votes to pass it. This is not a ban on guns but an end run around it by making ammunition expensive. It has a very real chance of passing just as higher taxes were on cigarettes. The Democratic Party has a majority of votes in both houses of Congress. They do not, however, have a majority of votes _for passing gun control legislation_. I guarantee you that if anyone ever tried to push a bill like the ones you’re complaining about through the Senate, that both of my Democratic senators would be in on the filibuster, and I imagine that there are a good number of Democrats in other states who would do the same. ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/57 "2009-08-13T21:24:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Currently there is nothing standing in the way of a majority voting block. That’s why health care reform got passed so quickly and easily, right? Oh, wait. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/58 "2009-08-13T22:15:56Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > We don’t have the same… uh… “relationship” as you do with **items whose sole use is to make living things become dead.** (emphasis added) Factually incorrect; I need point you no further than the International Olympic Committee for start. Please start reading some of the numerous gun-related threads on here where people who do have the Straight Dope on firearms educate others who do not. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/59 "2009-08-13T23:32:30Z")
Certainly there could be some version of the Assault Weapons bill again. But until his 2nd term, Obama is clearly saving his political capital for what matters most to him. Any form of Gun control- which faces a stiff fight in Congress and the Courts- is unlikely to be on his short list. ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289/60 "2009-08-14T00:21:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Certainly there could be some version of the Assault Weapons bill again. It’s worth noting that Obama’s campaign website mentioned that he supported making the Assault Weapons Ban permanent. The same text was copied to [change.gov](http://change.gov) site once he won the election, though it quietly disappeared not too long afterward. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-restrictions-on-ammo-real/506289.md?page=4)