Ban All Semi-Auto Firearms...

[Cow Poke]

Well no, what you now own will be grandfathered in, you keep them legally, but they can no longer be sold - going forward.

Which is why I had "going forward" in my post.

...
I just want to be clear that Seer is specifically proposing banning semi-auto handguns, not just "assault rifles*".

This means that all but one of my handguns would be illegal ("going forward") and my only shotgun is semi-auto.



*note that "assault rifle" is often misused, because it describes a fully automatic weapon, which the AR-15 (most often misidentified as one) is not

[seer]

Which is why I had "going forward" in my post.

Yes, but they would not be illegal for you...

[simplicio]

Machine guns were treated similarly in the 30s. The federal firearms act created a controversy at the time, establishing an excise tax on forearms. Few ordinary citizens held machine guns. It was successful, and is not necessarily controversial today. Not many have an 50 cal, and most would wonder if one needs his headspace checked if he did buy one (an old Army joke, the M2 has adjustable headspace). The prohibitions on machine guns has basically worked.

But the problem is how do we define a semi automatic weapon? They are rare today, and not common in commerce.

[Sparko]

How would banning semi-autos make a difference? People would just use shotguns, rifles and revolvers. The time difference in having to rack a shotgun or rifle or shoot a revolver is miniscule. You can rack a new shot in a shot gun or rifle in about a 1/4 second.

And as far as reloading time, just look at the Las Vegas shooter, he just used multiple guns.

You can't stop someone who is determined to commit such crimes. If you take away all guns, they will just make bombs. Or drive trucks. Or run around stabbing people or cutting them up with a sword.

The problem isn't with the weapons, it is with the people doing it.

[seer]

The problem isn't with the weapons, it is with the people doing it.

I'm just tried of seeing dead kids and young people, I suspect that the deeper problem is the destruction of nuclear family. And I don't know how to fix that...

[Cow Poke]

But the problem is how do we define a semi automatic weapon? They are rare today, and not common in commerce.

Semi-automatic weapons are WAY numerous and readily available, and the definition is simple - basically any weapon that fires a round when you pull the trigger apart from other actions. All of my weapons are semi-auto, including my shotgun. I think part of the problem is that you have people trying to enact "solutions" who don't even understand the terminology or the hardware.

[rogue06]

Semi-automatic weapons are WAY numerous and readily available, and the definition is simple - basically any weapon that fires a round when you pull the trigger apart from other actions. All of my weapons are semi-auto, including my shotgun. I think part of the problem is that you have people trying to enact "solutions" who don't even understand the terminology or the hardware.

Which explains why virtually every reporter on TV the past few days kept referring to the AR-15 as an "assault rifle" when it isn't.

[Cow Poke]

Which explains why virtually every reporter on TV the past few days kept referring to the AR-15 as an "assault rifle" when it isn't.

Correct - an assault rifle is fully automatic, as is the AR-15's military cousin, the M-16 - "a rapid-fire, magazine-fed automatic rifle designed for infantry use". The AR-15 (unless illegally modified) is semi-auto, and not "an assault rifle".

[demi-conservative]

I'm just tried of seeing dead kids and young people

Turn off tv, sadness will pass.

I suspect that the deeper problem is the destruction of nuclear family. And I don't know how to fix that...

Give in to progs and things just become worse, faster!

[Cow Poke]

Correct - an assault rifle is fully automatic, as is the AR-15's military cousin, the M-16 - "a rapid-fire, magazine-fed automatic rifle designed for infantry use". The AR-15 (unless illegally modified) is semi-auto, and not "an assault rifle".

And, AS WE SPEAK, Senator Nelson [D] is grandstanding in Florida calling for a ban on "assault weapons", and "let me tell you what an assault weapon is and is not -- an AR-15 is an assault weapon"!

[Zymologist]

And, AS WE SPEAK, Senator Nelson [D] is grandstanding in Florida calling for a ban on "assault weapons", and "let me tell you what an assault weapon is and is not -- an AR-15 is an assault weapon"!

It's easy: A(ssault)R(ifle)-15

[rogue06]

And, AS WE SPEAK, Senator Nelson [D] is grandstanding in Florida calling for a ban on "assault weapons", and "let me tell you what an assault weapon is and is not -- an AR-15 is an assault weapon"!

An assault rifle is defined by its functionality.

An assault weapon is defined by its appearance.

[Cow Poke]

It's easy: A(ssault)R(ifle)-15

That's TOO "easy". The AR in “AR-15” rifle stands for ArmaLite rifle, after the company that developed it in the 1950s. “AR” does NOT stand for “assault rifle” or “automatic rifle.” AR-15-style rifles are NOT “assault weapons” or “assault ...

[Zymologist]

That's TOO "easy". The AR in “AR-15” rifle stands for ArmaLite rifle, after the company that developed it in the 1950s. “AR” does NOT stand for “assault rifle” or “automatic rifle.” AR-15-style rifles are NOT “assault weapons” or “assault ...

Have you looked at an AR-15 lately? Clearly a weapon of war.

[rogue06]

Have you looked at an AR-15 lately? Clearly a weapon of war.

It's the bayonet lug that clinches it for me although I suspect that you think so because its black