H.R. 1022 would reauthorize the assault weapons ban.
Detailed Summary
Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2007 - Reinstates for ten years repealed criminal provisions regarding assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (the assault weapons ban).
Revises the definition of "semiautomatic assault weapon" to include conversion kits (for converting a firearm to such a weapon) and any semiautomatic rifle or pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and that has specified characteristics, including a telescoping stock.
Prohibits the transfer of such a weapon except through a licensed dealer or a state or local law enforcement agency, subject to specified requirements. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish and maintain a record of the make, model, and date of manufacture of any such weapon which the Attorney General is made aware has been used in relation to a crime, and of the nature and circumstances of the crime involved; and (2) annually submit the record to Congress and make it available to the public.
Prohibits: (1) the transfer of any assault weapon with a large capacity ammunition feeding device; and (2) a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer who transfers such a device that was manufactured on or before this Act's enactment from failing to certify to the Attorney General, within 60 days of the transfer date, that the device was manufactured on or before that date. Sets forth penalties for violations.
Prohibits: (1) the transfer of such a weapon or device to a juvenile; and (2) the importation of such a device.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Louie
March 7, 2007, 12:59am (report abuse)This is what the democrats are worried about? Lets see something done about health care or social security. Let's leave are 2nd amendment rights alone.
Sarah
March 7, 2007, 1:05am (report abuse)Addition to Jason's Responce above: My parents were killed in a car weck while driving home. The driver of the other vehicle was a 16 year old kid showing off his dads Ford mustang. So does that mean we should ban Honda? Banning a semi-auto weapon because you dont think we need it sounds like living under a dictatorship not a Free country!
Christopher
March 7, 2007, 4:58am (report abuse)Our founding fathers set up a pretty sweet deal for us. They pretty much said "We earned freedom so here are some rules to insure that we remain free." In doing so they set up a rule to ensure all others. The second amendment was put in place for a reason.
This is going to read pretty primal but this is how I feel. This is America, we have rights here. NO ONE can take those away. You people who want to ban our firearms are lucky we let you get away with what you do. You people are lucky that WE ALLOW the regulations you already have ASKED US for.
The only people who are going to follow these laws are law abiding citizens. DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THIS? We do! WE see right through the Bulls***.
If you dont like the America our Founding fathers set up for us then get the hell out!
Teri
March 7, 2007, 10:40am (report abuse)I'm a Democrat and I think the law is unconstitutional. I'm contacting my representative about it.
David Martin
March 7, 2007, 11:30am (report abuse)Another bill aimed to target the law-abding citizens and one that does nothing to stop gun violence as anyone knows that criminals are stubborn as they never seem to obey the law.
Hollywood
March 7, 2007, 11:30am (report abuse)we are given the rights to possess firearms for the sake of protecting ourselves from an overpowering government, the right to own firearms is the safety net of the checks and balances system, now their trying to tie our hands behind our backs.
Aaron
March 7, 2007, 2:38pm (report abuse)The "pistol grip" provision is especially funny. They cite that it is a feature that helps spraying fire from the hip. Have anyone who supports the bill tried to hold a pistol grip rifle at waist level? The truth is just the opposite - it is harder to hold and fire from waist level. Can you say "Cosmetic Ban".
Rob
March 7, 2007, 2:59pm (report abuse)We need to introduce a bill that bans the use of false terminology used to incite fear. The term "Assault Weapon" has a definition used by the military (not a rifle but explosive weapons that aid in an assault). The anti-gun crowd adoption of the term is incorrect. The bill should be called the "Rifle and shotgun with certain characteristics that are not automatic weapons ban". The bill has nothing to do with automatic weapons which are already regulated.
Pete
March 7, 2007, 5:52pm (report abuse)But if this bill passes, at least an assailant won't be able to legally stab at my corpse with a bayonet after shooting me 10 times. I can guarantee you that when I see a wooden stock on his rifle, I will not be scared at all. If he had a wooden stock, I would even ask the attacker to be my friend. Don't you know that deer rifles cannot hurt humans? It is the pistol grip that puts more spin on the round, thus allowing it to penetrate human skin. Upon opening, the folding stock makes a distinct sound causing human victims to stop in thier tracks.....Why do these people have thier heads so far up ..........
Deputy D. Mason
March 7, 2007, 8:13pm (report abuse)When will they finally realize that it DOES NOT matter what you ban... the bad guys will still have any weapon they want. Anyone willing to commit a felony will not care about a weapons ban...PERIOD!
mike lewis
March 7, 2007, 9:13pm (report abuse)This bill is nothing short of communism. Don't we have a 2nd ammendment. How does one legislate the constitution without an ammendment? Big brother is here and it's time to slow these lunitic lawmakers down. Vote them out and send them home. Next they will legislate camera's in the home
John
March 7, 2007, 11:16pm (report abuse)While ignorant individuals like Mrs. McCarthy may be elected to Congress by even more ignorant Americans and allowed to introduce legislation that is clearly unconstitutional, such as H.R. 1022, other, more responsible representatives, such as Ron Paul introduce legislation to protect the rights of Americans: See H.R. 1096 "H.R. 1096: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans"
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-1096
Rob
March 8, 2007, 10:04am (report abuse)I like that m.lewis "nothing short of communism". We should label those who argue against the 2nd Amendment as an individual right as the "Communist Anti-2nd Amendment Crowd". Turn about is fair play since they labeled our semi-firearms as "Assault Weapons".
Mark
March 8, 2007, 11:05am (report abuse)This Bill just gained 12 Co-Sponsors yesterday! Go call them and tell them and inform them of their rape of the Constitution.
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
Tom
March 8, 2007, 3:58pm (report abuse)Hitler and Stalin would be proud
Mainer
March 8, 2007, 7:38pm (report abuse)Funny how the most dangerous place is the place with the most gun control: Prison. Think about it. Don't be a victim. Be able to protect yourself and your family. The police just can't get there as quick as you think they will.
PSDOFF
March 8, 2007, 8:34pm (report abuse)The 2nd amendment has been eroded continually for quite some time. It has never decreased crime. The straw that broke the camel's back in the american revolution was when the british came to TAKE OUR GUNPOWDER. WAKE UP! YOUR GOVERNMENT IS COMING TO TAKE YOUR SEMI AUTOS! Ban the new ones, register the old ones, change the law later and collect the registered guns. THIS IS HOW IT IS DONE. THE CITIZENS WILL NOT BE DISARMED AND WE ARE READY TO VOTE WITH BULLETS.
Lars
March 8, 2007, 8:52pm (report abuse)Since 2004 crime with "assault weapons" has not increased. Do we need to draw a diagram or bar graph to get them to understnad the data?
More children were raped, killed and molested by pedophiles on parole than citizens shot with an assault rifle... why not concentrate on a real CRIME BILL?
Mr Schoonmaker
March 8, 2007, 11:16pm (report abuse)humans need compassion not control she should create a law that teaches all criminals compassion thru subjection to hours of national geographic videos and some form of educational movies on americas national parks that way they might have something to live for and not hurt people if this passes true to the code "over my dead body"
MaineOfficer
March 9, 2007, 5:07pm (report abuse)I am an officer of the law and do not agree with this ban. A government who wants their citizens to be disarmed is a government that is scared of thier people. In turn we as citizens on the brink of being disarmed should be scared of this government. Buy up your high capacity magazines now; you might need them later... to sell... or worse.
FoxValleyFirearms.com
March 9, 2007, 7:04pm (report abuse)Remeber fellow gunners!!!! They know that this bill wont pass....they are not stupid. They are sending out a crazy extreme bill, hoping you will settle for the less extreme bills that will folow this one.
SHAWN
March 11, 2007, 7:27am (report abuse)Any ban on firearms is in direct violation of the 2'nd amendment. Our forefathers were wise when they added the second amendment, it is a deterrent to any oppressive government including ours if needed. It is another check and balance built into this government by our forefathers. Always be wary of anyone who wants to take away rights.
AsherDe
March 11, 2007, 9:28pm (report abuse)I have a wonderful idea. Double the penalties for using a gun in a crime and leave the law abiding alone.
Mr. F
March 11, 2007, 10:36pm (report abuse)Asherde,
If you can get death for murder what makes you think doubling the penalties for gun crime will work? It wont. Violent criminals do not care about laws of this nature save that they weaken us.
D FROM SPOKANE
March 12, 2007, 4:20pm (report abuse)What happen to the right to bare arms,Congress thinks they need to control us like Hitler and Stallen controlled there countrys
John
March 12, 2007, 9:03pm (report abuse)Yeah, yeah ... they banned drugs too. Look how well that's working out.
D-Rock
March 12, 2007, 9:38pm (report abuse)The term `pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip. doesnt that pretty much rule out all semi-auto rifles because they have a feature that "can function as a grip". Everyone needs to start writing their congressman, especially those of you who's U.S. Rep is cosponsoring this bill. Let them know that we will not stand for this.
I agree with DG from Nv, you know it!!!
March 13, 2007, 11:26am (report abuse)Gun control is not about guns, nor crime, its about control. Control of citizens so they can be ruled.
Socialist in DC who propose this and other anti 2A laws violate their oath to the constitution. They should be removed from office, by force if necessary.
Mike
March 13, 2007, 7:35pm (report abuse)Ok, this was clearly shown to be a failure before. So, can anyone tell me what the definition of doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results, is? Exactly.
AC
March 15, 2007, 4:06pm (report abuse)Oops, I hit the wrong button saying I was for it ... wrong I am dead set against this bill. I don't need more nanny state control taking over and running (ruining) my life. One thing I know is a gun in my hands in better then a cop on the phone. Bans don't work. Someday there will be a backlash against the so called progressives (liberals). The right to arms is the 2nd amendment for a reason. It is there to preserve all the other amendments.
Michelle Cannizzaro
March 16, 2007, 7:58am (report abuse)I believe this bill goes against our Constitutional rights to bear arms.
man of the people
March 16, 2007, 9:51am (report abuse)I would support this bill, as long as it applies equally to members of Congress, their bodyguards, and the congressional security force. Let's start by completely banning guns in Washington, D.C., without exception.
RageNRepublican
March 17, 2007, 9:39pm (report abuse)This bill is not only unconstitutional, it's a step towards socialism, and dictatorship. A2 has NOTHING to do with duckhunting, it's to protect Americans from people like McCarthy who insist on widdling away at our rights. If it's time to bury our guns, it's time to dig them up.
Freedom Defender
March 19, 2007, 1:59am (report abuse)Those of us in the military took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution against all threats foreign and domestic. This is a domestic threat threat against the foundations of our freedoms and our ability to defend those freedoms. Its time to start preparing to defend those freedoms. Liberals and democrats say that assault weapons are only designed to kill large numbers of people...then why do they only want the government to have them. In a way they are right, shotguns and bolt action rifles designed for hunting are not effective weapons to fight with. Every citizen should be armed with weapons effective enough to at least have a chance of fighting back.
????
March 19, 2007, 10:10am (report abuse)I fully understand them banning automatic weapons but not semiauto.
ChrisW
March 19, 2007, 10:16am (report abuse)TO QUOTE: “You won’t get gun control by disarming law-abiding citizens. There’s only one way to get real gun control: Disarm the thugs and the criminals, lock them up, and if you don’t actually throw away the key, at least lose it for a long time... It’s a nasty truth, but those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed by gun controllers. I happen to know this from personal experience.” —Ronald Reagan, 1983
Cliff
March 19, 2007, 10:57am (report abuse)I am a Federal Law Enforcement officer, and the Liberals DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME !!!
NO BAN !!! DO NOT STRIP OUR RIGHTS!!!
freedomfighter
March 19, 2007, 4:58pm (report abuse)wow,mcarthy think's she's smarter than ALL of our founding father's!i think incompetent person should be removed from office before she has any more opportunities to screw up our (and our children's)country with her non-existant logic.she has her agenda because someone shot her family member's.well maybe if a law abiding citizen was carrying a legal pistol thank day,her tragedy could have been averted.wake up america,the politician's are turning us into slaves right before our very eyes and all everyone wants to talk about is k-fed and brittany,or anna nicole.the very fabric of our country is disintegrating in front of us as these politician's tighten their grip.the destruction of the foudation of our country should not be tolerated.
TruePatriot
March 20, 2007, 4:46pm (report abuse)I can guarantee that anyone, criminal or otherwise who tries to take away my legally-owned firearms will have a very bad day.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ.
TacticalTailgate
March 20, 2007, 7:00pm (report abuse)hr 1022 is NOT legal and will NOT be tolerated or accepted by law abiding, freedom loving citizens, such as myself!
George Bush
March 22, 2007, 9:21am (report abuse)I would like you to know I agree with you and will not allow congress to push America around.
they are NOT getting my stash of illegal weapons!!!!!
kstone
March 23, 2007, 4:50pm (report abuse)I totally believe in the Constitution of the United Staes. When our elected officials swore an oath they promised to SUPPORT and Defend the Constitution of the United States as a whole not pick and choose what ammendment is good or bad. Apparently the oath was just empty words.
2008 is just around the corner it's time to vote the Liberals out of office it's time to vote for a Congress that will turly support and defend the Constitution.
TBone MD
March 23, 2007, 5:31pm (report abuse)This is kind of like declawing your cat and then putting him in a cage with a rabid bulldog. I think the way to control the violence committed using these types of weapons, is to punish the criminals that use them. Let's not leave the general law abiding citizens that own them. I do not currently own any type of "assault weapon" but do not feel that I should be restricted from it in the future. Please vote this one down, it will only strengthen the criminal syndicates, and the federal government.
H Glover
March 24, 2007, 10:30am (report abuse)Pro-gunners need to stick together and defeat these liberal pinheads. They want to ban all guns. We can not let them get a foot in the door. JOIN the NRA.
R Schneider
March 24, 2007, 11:41am (report abuse)Well if this go through, I will be like Charleston Heston, they will have to take them out of my dead cold hands.
Ando
March 24, 2007, 1:48pm (report abuse)I agree with "Freedom Defender". Those of us in the military took an oath to uphold the Constitution against all threats foreign and domestic. I would say that this is indeed a domestic threat as these so called Reps. erode our Constitutional rights in which they obviously know nothing about.
AKowner47
March 25, 2007, 4:00am (report abuse)Well I can sum it up like this. H.R. 1022: Assault Weapons Ban is nothing more than a law to treat law abiding gun owners as Terrorists,Out Laws and Criminals. VOTE NO TO H.R. 1022.
Vince Rafaiani
March 26, 2007, 11:13am (report abuse)I would be in favor of this law if a politition could supply a good answer to my question : "Why?" But that won't happen because every argument they can supply is based on emotion and false pretenses. This is another lame attempt disarm the American people. I am still trying to figure out why these ignorant liberals are trying to disarm us law abiding citizens. Do they think they can create a utopia? The Soviet Union already tried that and look at Russia now, they have a dictatorship! If these liberals want a communist government, they should get on a boat and leave the democratic land of the free!
Hank Kokenzie
March 26, 2007, 2:28pm (report abuse)How many people are killed with automatic weapons in the U.S. ????
Hank kokenzie
March 26, 2007, 2:31pm (report abuse)Let me change this to, How many people are killed with Fully Automatic Weapons?
Mr. F
March 26, 2007, 9:05pm (report abuse)Hank, An Assault Weapon is not the same as an Assault Rifle which is what is commonly called a machine gun.
Machine guns are already heavily restricted under the NFA of 1934, which is unconstitutional as well.
Butcho Loco
March 27, 2007, 5:52am (report abuse)I knew this was going to happen with a democrat controlled congress, and I am pissed. I was not planning on buying any new guns this year, and now I am reconsidering. We got fight back hard on this one, no repeat of the 94 AWB should be allowed to happen. We have to hit the streets, petition, write, call our reps, especially the ones that will support this draconian legislation . Even more important though, we have to change the opinions of those who are afraid of guns, or ignorant of them. We all know some, go for the easy targets first (ha, ha pun!). You know, the ones that are unsure about guns, take 'em shootin! Teach them all you know about guns! Turn them into one of us! We need the extra voices, we must have a strong presence!!! I have converted people, it can be done!!!
Amie
March 27, 2007, 10:48pm (report abuse)They are just guns. What I want to know is how many of you live in a CITY where gun control is a necessity. They aren't taking away your rights, they're protecting those of us who have to live in fear of these guns everyday. Also - as suburbs quickly become "edge cities" you are going to have to worry about this as well. So maybe you should think about your community instead of worrying about whether or not you can keep a certain kind of gun in your closet.
Sniperjoe
March 28, 2007, 12:08am (report abuse)Amie, gun control is not a necessity, it is unconstitutional. What I and everyone else that has posted beisdes you is that criminals do not obey the law, thus can get their hands on whatever gun they want very easily and almost all of these guns come in illegaly from other countrys such as Russia, Saudi arabia etc. Also , if bans did work why would you ban something that is used in less that 1% of the crime nationaly. It would be much more effective if gun control worked to ban handguns but the reality is is that it doesnt. As a matter of fact, more people are saved by guns ( about 3 people are save to every 1 murder) alot more than people are murdered by them.
Marine
March 28, 2007, 1:40am (report abuse)Amie, these are not just guns, they are part of the heritage and culture of the United States. You might as well propose banning Violent Video games and Rap music because of its supposed "negative" influence on America's youth. As has been said numerous times here already, criminals are criminals because they ignore the law. This law will NOT deter crime, in fact it will create a whole new class of criminal. It's a bad, and nothing good will come of it.
ChanceLonestar
March 29, 2007, 2:17pm (report abuse)this story was added to digg, log in and digg it! it needs media attention!
4sarge RET LEO - IN
March 29, 2007, 5:47pm (report abuse)"DITTO"
What happened to "the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
I will not support this bill, and I will actively vote against any politician who supports this bill.
Lee from sd
March 30, 2007, 2:57pm (report abuse)I have a lot of firearms that would go against regualtions on bill hr 1022..i have around 20 guns and around 10-11 would be banned. I am a pround NRA supporter and believe that passing hr1022 would be taking away our rights...this is America and were run under a democracy not communism or socialism!
Lee from sd
March 30, 2007, 3:00pm (report abuse)Aime...go hug a tree
Liberty4Ever
March 31, 2007, 11:48am (report abuse)Two EFFECTIVE things you can do:
1) Write a real, old fashioned letter to your Congresscritter explaining why HR1022 is wrong.
2) Take someone shooting, especially kids. Show them responsible firearms ownership and make sure they understand the rights as explained in the 2nd ammendment and the importance to freedom and liberty.
SSG Schwab Coby USARMY
April 2, 2007, 5:08am (report abuse)I think this law absolutely ridiculous. Very few crimes have been committed from legally registered assault weapons. This law is not going to affect people who would commit crimes with these kinds of weapons. The only thing it will do is make criminals not hestitate to invade the homes of honest hard working Americans because he will know there is nothing to fear.
Sniperjoe
April 3, 2007, 9:57pm (report abuse)and yes Amie, i do live in a big city, actually i happen to live in THE city and i can tell you that the high gun control is one of the main reasons for all of the crime.
Econ Professor
April 4, 2007, 1:37pm (report abuse)Historically, laws against the private ownership of weapons are not really about reducing crime, rhetoric to the contrary notwithstanding. Japan had "sword control" during the later Shogunates, and it was to ensure that the nobility and their Samuri could control the peasants. New York's infamous Sullivan Law was really passed to make sure that only Tammany Hall thugs had guns on election day--the better to intimidate voters. The gun laws passed in the South after the Civil War were designed to make safe working conditions for the KKK when they came to intimidate freed slaves. The list could go on, but it would be too depressing.
Having said that, I would ask what the politicians have planned to do to the American people that makes them so afraid for us to have arms. Whatever it is, it cannot be good, and will likely be worse for our children. Remember, for an elite to be able to turn citizens into peasants and serfs, the citizens must first be disarmed.
muggs45
April 4, 2007, 7:46pm (report abuse)The statistics do not support this Bill..... Crime did not go down... I am against this Bill and I am Standing tall with the 2nd ammendment... Guns have saved my life on several occations.
OIF Medic
April 7, 2007, 1:46pm (report abuse)To my fellow OIF brothers WELCOME HOME.Unfortunately it seems the representatives of various peoples republic type states are up too their old tricks and lies again.I know I didnt fight for this.
GAT
April 8, 2007, 7:47pm (report abuse)When the government fears our arms, then we must in turn fear our government. Vote libertarian and end this insanity between democratic socialists and republicans who do not remember the definaition of conservative anymore. Reagan would be ashamed of the party the way it is now!
Brian McNerney
April 9, 2007, 3:13pm (report abuse)There exists in this world people that I would not be comfortable around, if they were even to possess a BB gun or a rubber band with a paper clip.. BUT....that being said:
A person considered to be a reasonable person, with a sound mind and can have that verified and confirmed by a backgound check and other personnel checks, would not be a problem for me or a threat to the safety of our society should they possess a firearm ....be it bolt action or semiautomatic. Pistol or long gun..
The existing laws that prohibit machine guns still being in place under 922r would be enough for me to sleep at night. Not having the current laws enforced against criminals is what keeps me awake.
Making all guns disappear in this world would not create a utopia of peace but only create a search of a substitute weapon of metal or chemicals. Then WHAT Do We Do?
OIF Engineer
April 10, 2007, 2:59pm (report abuse)This is another attempt for the Government to add additional control over law abiding citizens. What are the Libs afraid of an uprising of good people getting sick and tired of there nonsense. Nonsense things like a bunch of illegals flying our flag upside down at a school in protest to immigration control and not do anything about it. But this is ok and we should NOT say anything about that because it could hurt their feelings, of course we would be racists. I think if things in american do not change soon trouble is on the horizon. Sorry for the rambeling just had to get that off my chest
Mickey Donald
April 11, 2007, 3:10pm (report abuse)Assault weapons should be prohibited, because they were designed for military purposes; are the firearms of choice of many (not all) criminals; and aren't suitable for hunting, competitive shooting, or even self defense. Despite several legal challenges, the ban, which is now expire and Bush promised to revive (but didn't), was upheld as Constitutional by federal courts. So much for the erosion of the Second Amendment. This ban makes common sense.
Brian McNerney
April 12, 2007, 7:57pm (report abuse)As they say.... the devil is in the details.........
In this case it is in the definition of an assault weapon......
Hopefully it is explained in the details of the defintion of an assault weapon, how it is justified, as to the need to change the 2nd ammendment .....explaining why we were wrong having it in place, to start with?
RED
April 13, 2007, 11:58pm (report abuse)Mr. Donald...I hunt with mine, I use it in competitive shooting, and will defend myself and family with it if need be...
Those that beat their guns into plows will plow for those that don't.
Aussiegirl
April 16, 2007, 2:02pm (report abuse)You people are all CRAZY! I hope you are all happy with your lax gun laws after this current massacre of innocents at Virginia Tech. What on earth will it take to bring you to your senses and make you realise that guns kill, indiscriminately and quickly. If this nutcase had only had access to even a regular rifle he would have killed far less people. No-one in civilized society NEEDS an Assault weapon!!
RED
April 17, 2007, 4:38am (report abuse)That is what Hitler told the JEWS.....
Gary
April 17, 2007, 8:02am (report abuse)Hasn't anybody here actually READ the second amendment, it does mention a well run militia!!! DOH It simply doesn't give carte blanche for any individual to run around with automatic weapons
Brian McNerney
April 17, 2007, 11:29am (report abuse)4-17-07
Let us assume... that we are in a time where there exists no firearms....bows and arrows.....etc. Utopia........?
Would a deranged person bent on ending many young student lives turn to a vehicle as the object to inflict death during a large outside gathering? If that would be a possibility.... Do we ban all vehicles a mile from a school area.......with cement barriers?
Evil throughout history is always accomplished by what ever is available.
Let us not examine the means used, but the cause of evil, as we cant take all manner of weapons or things which might be used as such, out of the reach of civilization.
Cars,Baseball bats..matches and gas ..Kool-aid ETC
Yes we are ALL mad at senseless killings and need to vent ...
It SHOULD NOT BE ....THE OBJECT USED , but the user and the missing safe guards to prevent it now, and in the future.
JC In Kentucky
April 17, 2007, 12:31pm (report abuse)I am not one who would normally comment on websites, but this is such an outrage I felt compelled to comment. Why would our politicians try this attack on our 2nd amendment yet again? Why are we allowing our politicians to spend our tax dollars on such a proposal? How much money has already been wasted on this obvious violation of our constitutional right? I am not an extremist but I will never relinquish control of the very few firearms I currently own.
Steve in good ol' AZ
April 18, 2007, 1:24pm (report abuse)Aussiegirl,
The gun used in the VA Tech shooting was a 9mm handgun, so that is completely irrelevant to this bill. Yes, it was a tragedy, but banning assault weapons is not the answer. Our system is designed so that the people keep the government in check. Take away the means of control, and the government no longer has to fear the people, but vice versa. People shouldn't fear their governments...governments should fear their people.
Sniperjoe
April 18, 2007, 10:07pm (report abuse)First of all, the gun used in VA wasnt an assault rifle at all, so it is compleatly irrelivent to this bill, also Gary the second amendment does mention milita, but did you ever even bother to read the whole thing? It clearly states that the people have the right to keep and bear arms and that the right cant be infringed, to make it more clear to all of you i will post it here... "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"
Its all there
Slick
April 19, 2007, 6:29pm (report abuse)This makes as much sence as banning boats because people drive drunk in cars...
Brian McNerney
April 19, 2007, 6:40pm (report abuse)4-19-07
I love the internet....
You have to see this about the knowledge of this bill originator being interviewed:
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/04/18/video-carolyn-mccarthy-doesnt-und...