Assault Weapons Ban

[H. Ross Peron]

No.

First of all it violates any normal reading of the Second Amendment, which like the Bill of Rights is an individual right.

Secondly, "assault weapons" are laughably defined and cause an extremely small proportion of gun-related deaths. The only reason why AWB is talked about is because they tend to kill middle-class white suburban kids in large batches that ends up garnering 24/7 coverage on CNN instead of killing one or two black kids in South Central LA or Detroit that ends up on page A30 of the local newspaper.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The last one was a joke and they could never write one that makes actual sense even today.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Alternative answer: repeal the second amendment. (normal)

[Frodo]

Define 'assault weapons'. 

[dead0man]

Define 'assault weapons'. 

Gun control fanatics don't know anything about guns.  They are often proud of their complete ignorance.  They think things like "guns are designed for one thing, to kill", it doesn't matter how many times you explain that isn't true.  Or the always funny "why didn't they shoot to wound?".  Or one of the nation's most vocal gun control advocates explaining why barrel shrouds (a thing that keeps the operator of the weapon from burning him/herself) should be illegal by describing it as a "shoulder thing, that goes up". 

Is there any other political issue where one side is so completely ignorant of the topic at hand?

[Maxwell]

Obviously not, for many (though not all) of the reasons stated in this thread.

And while I disagree with a repeal of the 2nd amendment 100%, it probably makes more sense than this silly measure.

[bedstuy]

No.

First of all it violates any normal reading of the Second Amendment, which like the Bill of Rights is an individual right.

Secondly, "assault weapons" are laughably defined and cause an extremely small proportion of gun-related deaths. The only reason why AWB is talked about is because they tend to kill middle-class white suburban kids in large batches that ends up garnering 24/7 coverage on CNN instead of killing one or two black kids in South Central LA or Detroit that ends up on page A30 of the local newspaper.

Why do people keep saying this?  It makes absolutely no sense. 

Just think about it this way, how could the 2nd Amendment distinguish between assault weapons and machine guns, if neither had been invented yet? 

In truth, nobody has read the 2nd Amendment in that extreme way until the NRA came around.  We've always allowed regulation of guns, because it's simply common-sense and is supported by the text of the 2nd Amendment, IE "well-regulated."  Even according to our super right wing Supreme Court, you can regulate guns as long as you don't ban the most popular kinds like handguns.

As for the second point, we have to draw the line somewhere.  It's not necessarily going to be a neat line according to textbook definitions of gun varieties, but it should be a balance.  So, assault weapons is just a catch-all name for a list of features and qualities that should be banned from common use in guns.  It's like if we had a term for "assault cars" that meant types of cars that aren't street legal.  I don't understand why gun nuts get their panties in a twist about this. 

[Replicator]

Machine Guns:

Restrict the transfer and possession of machine guns except for “transfers to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision.

The ATF can authorize the transfer of a machine gun to an unlicensed civilian.

An unlicensed individual may acquire machine guns, with ATF approval, from its lawful owner residing in the same state as the individual.

 The transfer-er must file an ATF application, which must be completed by both parties to the transfer and executed under penalties of perjury, and pay a $200 transfer tax to ATF.

Application to include detailed information on the firearm and the parties involved in the transfer.

Those receiving a machine gun through transfer must certify that they are not disqualified from possessing firearms.

Someone receiving a machine gun through transfer must submit two photographs taken within the last year, fingerprints, and a copy of a permit required to possess a machine gun.

Also must certify that machine gun will be used only for lawful purposes.

Anyone acquiring a machine gun must, as part of the registration process, pass an extensive Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background investigation.

ATF must refund the $200 tax if application is denied.

Gun owners must keep approved applications as evidence of registration of the firearms and make them available for inspection by ATF officers.

Dealers subject to police inspection of stock of machine guns, sawed off rifles, and sawed off shotguns.


Registry Prohibition:


Multiple Sales Reports
Suspect Guns- guns suspected of criminal use but not collected
Traced Guns
Out of Business Records
Theft Guns- reported as stolen by the ATF

 
Disqualified Individuals:

those who have served more than a year in prison
fugitives from the law
anyone currently addicted to a controlled substance
illegal citizens
those with mental illnesses who have been involuntarily admitted for treatment
dishonorable discharge from the military
felons
kidnappers
rapists
convicts of violent crimes against other individuals
convicts of gun crimes
convicts of domestic violence against a spouse or child
anyone with a court order restraining them from an intimate partner or child
minors under the age of 12 except when supervised
minors under the age of 18 except with permission of parents and property owner
anyone acquitted for reasons of insanity
anyone judged to be mentally incompetent or incapacitated
those who have renounced U.S. citizenship


Places of Possession:

Keep general cross-state standard for concealed carry.
Allow guns in Washington D.C. with no trigger lock requirement.
Allow for open carry outside of cities with exception of legal officials.
Teach kids about gun safety.


Places of Restriction:

places of religious worship
courthouses
near schools and campuses
airport terminals
state forests (except law enforcement)
state parks (except law enforcement)
areas of wildlife management (except law enforcement)
buildings of federal employment and general assembly
anywhere prohibited by property owner


Sales Procedures:


Mandatory background checks for gun purchases.

Background checks may take no longer than three days.

Proof of previous background checks maybe used for later purchases.

One day waiting period for purchase of a firearm.

Require 12 hour training class before allowing open carry.

Magazines holding more than 20 rounds considered as automatic firearms.

No requirement that guns be sold with trigger locks.

Protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits from gun misuse.

Must have proof of age and citizenship.

Private sellers may not sell firearms to anyone they know is prohibited from possessing or transporting them.


Licenses and Private Sales:

Require license to purchase valid for 3 years.
Allow guns to be traded between dealers and private citizens.
No license needed if trading a gun.
No license needed for purchasing a firearm of more than 50 years of age.
Guns considered as collectors items not subject to license.
No license required for veterans or retired members of law enforcement to purchase firearms.
Require concealed handgun permits to carry a magazine holding more than 20 rounds.

 
Firearms in Vehicles:

1. In a closed package, box, or case.

2. In a compartment that can only be reached by leaving the vehicle.

3. In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder.

4. Must be unloaded.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The AWB was a terrible terrible law that accomplished absolutely nothing besides handing the NRA easy talking points and a boogeyman. It should be the last thing any serious gun control advocate should be focusing on.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I believe I've reached a perfect compromise that will reduce the amount of scary weapons without sacrificing freedom/Liberty:

1) announce repeal of assault weapon restrictions and bans
2) subsidise penis enlargement surgery for anybody wants it.

Might also counter the SUV menace as well, so really kills two birds with one stone.

[Deus Naturae]

I believe I've reached a perfect compromise that will reduce the amount of scary weapons without sacrificing freedom/Liberty:

1) announce repeal of assault weapon restrictions and bans
2) subsidise penis enlargement surgery for anybody wants it.

Might also counter the SUV menace as well, so really kills two birds with one stone.

On the contrary:

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[Replicator]

I'm fine with the Brady Bill.

[bedstuy]

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And yet we live in a country full of people who are obviously lacking in both, and where gun culture remains extremely popular. What would Freud say to that?

Who cares though?  Nobody takes Freud seriously in 2015.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

And yet we live in a country full of people who are obviously lacking in both, and where gun culture remains extremely popular. What would Freud say to that?

Dunno, probably ask you if you've had sex with your parents or something.

[King]

Banning guns is a bad idea, and unconstitutional. But owning assault rifles is stupid.

Rather than any sort of law, we should all just culturally agree that owning a bunch of guns is lame and open carrying guns is eyerolling and not cool at all. A lot of this crazy gun ownership is built around the idea that it's badass and they are fighting to keep their rights.

Take away the fight for gun control and all that is left is a bunch of morons spending thousands on selfy props.

[Deus Naturae]

Banning guns is a bad idea, and unconstitutional. But owning assault rifles is stupid.

Rather than any sort of law, we should all just culturally agree that owning a bunch of guns is lame and open carrying guns is eyerolling and not cool at all.

That isn't what an "assault weapon" is though.

Honestly though, I see where you're coming from with the second part. My view is the same as the below:

[King]

Yes. Without any sort of law, we need to make the left as acceptable as JNCO jeans

[DemPGH]

I admittedly waffle on guns. I do think that firearms should be legal, but where you draw the line is the whole issue. I am absolutely against laws that allow people to carry guns in public, and I consider that to be a greater threat to safety. But there are clearly weapons that people should not be allowed to have, though. It's probably case-by-case.