# Renew the Assault Weapons ban. I dare ya! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 12, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127 "2004-09-12T12:18:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/81 "2004-09-14T18:21:49Z")
There are ways to get a bullet to move without using a gun. I’ll spare the mods the difficulty of deciding whether it’s legal to post those methods here, but will say that all it takes is some thinking about how to impact the primer. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/82 "2004-09-14T21:34:13Z")
> [@RTA](#): > > I hope you guys and all the NRA slaves in Congress feel the same way, the first time some dude kills their boss and all of his co-workers and maybe a cop or three, using a newly-available weapon he bought sometime after this morning. Hopefully that doesn’t happen, but I feel rather certain it will. Why hasn’t it happened in the last few years with functionally identical guns available? Why is it certain to happen now because the ban has lapsed? I own a Romanian made AK-74 type rifle, modified to lack certain military features. As of right now, I’m allowed to add a folding stock, a bayonet lug, and a flash suppressor. Am I somehow more likely to go on a killing spree this week than last? If I were to go on a killing spree, would those extra features really make me more lethal? And… do you feel better if someone shoots up his office mates with a regular old remmington 870 hunting shotgun? In close quarters, that weapon would be more lethal and effective and yet it’s very innocent looking, owned by millions, and almost no one is calling for the ban. Regarding the “criminal” issue - what seems to have happened was that someone implied that almost all gun crime is commited by criminals and therefore since they won’t mind breaking the law anyway there’s no use to burden law abiding citizens. Then someone else said that a lot of spur of the moment shootings are commited by _otherwise_ law abiding citzens. To which someone replied that they’re a criminal as soon as they commit the crime. There was the miscommunication. It’s unfair to say “Well, as soon as someone does something bad with a gun, they’re a criminal, so therefore only criminals do bad things with guns” - it’s technically true, but what we’re really trying to compare are otherwise law abiding citizens acting on an impulse against “career criminals”. ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/83 "2004-09-15T01:18:26Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > I believe in securing my arms, especially when leaving the homestead for an extended period, like a vacation. Gun cases with locks, safes, triggerlocks that will most likely destroy the trigger mechanism before removed… > > Maybe that’s asking too much? Way too often the headlines tell stories of kids blasting their friends because daddy’s weapon was lying around, loaded. Way too often also, one hears about stolen weapons used in robberies and murders like RTA’s story. > > I find it negligent behavior, but it doesn’t necessarily mean RTA’s uncle is a bad person-he just made a mistake in not securing his weapons. > > Sam That makes sense to me…and I agree that it is not asking too much for a gun to be secured by the safest means possible. I did not know about the destructive triggerlock you describe and could not understand how someone could screw up by leaving their guns locked in their case at home (knowing that cases and homes can be broken into.) Thanks for the explanation. Sharron ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/84 "2004-09-15T02:58:12Z")
You know, I forgot to mention earlier another “goof” in the plot . . . . . . I distinctly remember a scene where Spock shouts out a _“Goddamn you sir, you will try . . .”_–a distinctly emotional reaction. Isn’t this Vulcan supposed to be emotionless? Yeah, he’s half human and all, but I thought he was supposed to be pretty straight and narrow on the emotion stuff. I wish I had a copy of the show–solely to research that scene. Anyone else remember this part? Tripler If Spock were a '49er: “Live long, and prospect”. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/85 "2004-09-15T03:40:01Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > If Spock were a '49er: “Live long, and prospect”. WHOA! :smack: Totally wrong thread!! It should have been in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=275927) one!! The weirdest part is that I haven’t had a single beer since Saturday night. Holy crap! I guess that’s what you get for having two threads open at once. Ouch, this one’s gonna hurt in the morning!! :eek: Tripler Ignore that idiot behind the keyboard/mouse. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/86 "2004-09-15T15:22:33Z")
> [@smartini](#): > > That makes sense to me…and I agree that it is not asking too much for a gun to be secured by the safest means possible. I did not know about the destructive triggerlock you describe and could not understand how someone could screw up by leaving their guns locked in their case at home (knowing that cases and homes can be broken into.) Thanks for the explanation. > > Sharron I think I should clarify what I meant about the trigger lock- Most trigger lock that I have seen have a very small locking mechanism, which would force one to use a small drill bit to drill it open. Small drill bits have a tendency to shear off in lock openings, and I was making a leap of logic by saying that you’r probably have to ruin the trigger guard to remove the lock. I’m not saying that’s the way it would have to be done, but I know how those little locks can just snap a bit off inside the keyslot, and then it’s REALLY difficult to drill out. Sam ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/87 "2004-09-15T19:01:43Z")
> [@](#): > > **GaWd** said: > Most trigger lock that I have seen have a very small locking mechanism, which would force one to use a small drill bit to drill it open. And on a lot of them, they’ll specifically tell you never ever to use one on a loaded firearm, in part because if it doesn’t pull the trigger back, a hard enough yank on the trigger lock will. ---
**Author:** ![eno801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@eno801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eno801)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/88 "2004-09-16T21:33:38Z")
more misinformation or would it be disinformation [http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040916/LOCAL/209160348/1078/news](http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040916/LOCAL/209160348/1078/news) ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/89 "2004-09-17T00:33:23Z")
> [@eno801](#): > > more misinformation or would it be disinformation > > [http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040916/LOCAL/209160348/1078/news](http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040916/LOCAL/209160348/1078/news) My favorite part of the article is this interesting line, listing some of the features banned by the AWB: > [@](#): > > the flash suppressor, which makes the shooter invisible It makes you invisible? COOL! ---
**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:** [September 17, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/90 "2004-09-17T01:08:57Z")
That’s about as good as an article I saw in the early 1990’s (actually, about 1993) which claimed laser sights on handguns and rifles should be banned as they were designed “primarily to blind police officers and helicopter pilots”. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/91 "2004-09-17T01:48:13Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > It makes you invisible? COOL! And I’ve been using this stupid Stealth Boy all these years. I’ve wasted my life. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/92 "2004-09-17T02:50:50Z")
> [@](#): > > **Una Persson** said: > That’s about as good as an article I saw in the early 1990’s (actually, about 1993) which claimed laser sights on handguns and rifles should be banned as they were designed “primarily to blind police officers and helicopter pilots”. Couldn’t possibly have been designed to paint a noticable mark on the target that is used for lining up the sights or the scope in order to get more accuracy. Hell no, it’s all about blinding helicopter pilots. Where do these idiots come from? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/93 "2004-09-17T03:14:27Z")
Cool. This article says the special features make guns ‘more semiautomatic’. I want that. I would also like my light bulbs to be more on. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/94 "2004-09-17T03:24:06Z")
Show of hands…how many here have ever attached a machete to the barrel of your rifle? “…the bayonet lug, an attachment for a machete…” Thought so… ---
**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:** [September 17, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/95 "2004-09-17T04:10:22Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > “Rapid fire” weapons may not be a hallmark (and IMHO aren’t really needed by the average joe), **but an armed populace with access to the same type and make of firearms that their _government_ has, is a hallmark of a civilized democracy.** > > And so far, we are lucky enough to be secure in that democracy, that people take this fact for granted in the United States. > > Tripler > I’m pro-gun, pro-democracy. But: Don’t Tread on Me. [Bolding mine] That is possibly the most ridiculous single statement I’ve ever read or heard. A hallmark of a _paranoid_ democracy, probably. I have news for you, though- most of the people in democratic states understand that their governments are not lulling them into a false sense of security. They further realize that even if their government _does_ decide to infringe on their rights, an automatic rifle and a coffee can full of ammunition is hardly going to change their minds. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/96 "2004-09-17T04:56:43Z")
> [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > [Bolding mine] > > That is possibly the most ridiculous single statement I’ve ever read or heard. > > A hallmark of a _paranoid_ democracy, probably. I have news for you, though- most of the people in democratic states understand that their governments are not lulling them into a false sense of security. They further realize that even if their government _does_ decide to infringe on their rights, an automatic rifle and a coffee can full of ammunition is hardly going to change their minds. Read into that as far as you want pal, but I consider the fact that a population armed with nearly the same weapons as it’s standing army a peaceful coexistence a _hallmark_ if not a _tribute_ to a democratic civilization. And as far as the states ‘lulling’ them into anything, I’m sorry to say this, but I’ll put pennies to the dollar that most people don’t really pay all that much attention to what their government (whether it local, state, or federal) is doing most of the time. We’re just too damn complacent. . . If it gets to the point where Mom and Pop have to go to their hidden coffee can of ammo for protection, then apparently no government protection exists, be it local police, state troopers, or even National Guard . . . Tripler Go ahead and call me “paranoid”. Just think about my point for a bit. . . ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/97 "2004-09-18T18:09:45Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Cool. This article says the special features make guns ‘more semiautomatic’. I want that. > > I would also like my light bulbs to be more on. Is that like making something “More Less”? ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/98 "2004-09-18T18:12:16Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > Couldn’t possibly have been designed to paint a noticable mark on the target that is used for lining up the sights or the scope in order to get more accuracy. Hell no, it’s all about blinding helicopter pilots. > > Where do these idiots come from? And Ironically, a lot of those laser sights are apparently rather useless if not mounted properly. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/99 "2004-09-19T01:26:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > “…the bayonet lug, an attachment for a machete…” 😕 The author could not be bothered to look up what is a bayonet, and instead asked the guy two cubicles over? And what the heck is “more semiautomatic”? Have to pull the trigger _twice_ to get off each shot? ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127/100 "2004-09-19T06:25:53Z")
Where has RTA been, I wonder… Sam [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-i-dare-ya/264127.md?page=6)