Posted on 09/06/2004 6:34:56 PM PDT by Bell407Pilot
In just seven short days, Title XI of the Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 (otherwise known as the Assault Weapons Ban) will sunset. Because it is an election year and gun control issues are now political suicide for most politicians, it is highly unlikely that Congress will rush through legislation extending the ban. While it may be premature to gloat, the fat lady IS waiting just off stage for her cue.
The Assault Weapons Ban was an excellent example of awful legislation. The law handcuffed gun manufacturers and law-abiding citizens, and was hardly even noticed by the criminal class who rarely ever used assault weapons anyway (less than 1% of all gun crimes). The law was passed in bad faith, supported by hysterical people using extreme examples of human tragedy to badger spineless lawmakers. The law was based on emotion instead of fact, statistics, and investigation. It banned a class of products for their appearance, and not necessarily their function as they operate identically to semi-auto hunting weapons.
While I am saddened that my assault weapons will drop in value on Sept. 14th, I am gleeful at the prospect of seeing affordably priced semi-automatic assault weapons at future gun shows. I will take some pleasure in seeing this law die. It was this issue that really fired me up and gave me the drive to get more politically active. Even though I live in Texas, a place where being an armed citizen is normally encouraged by local law enforcement, I became active and supported with both time and money gun rights organizations. Being a gun rights’ advocate in Texas is like being a cheese supporter in Wisconsin. However, we took the fight directly to the politicians who passed this dreadful bill, and defeated a good number of them. I personally believe its why Gore lost Tennessee and other close states. And with Moses leading the charge, we were bound have some victories.
I will drink a decent amount of scotch to celebrate the passing of the Assault Weapons Ban, but I will continue to be mindful of the threat of the law coming back. There are people in Washington like Dianne Feinstein and Chuckie Schumer who are vigilant in their desire to have only the government armed.
Seven more days. Tick, tick, tick...
The assault weapons ban will live on in MA. It was a compromise measure worked out with the State in trade for some sanity in licensing -- six years instead of four; a 90 day grace period; a review board, and a few other things.
Who thinks there will be a mass killing with the killer using an "assault weapon" in the next few days?
Unfortunately, even if it does sunset....they will write another one & try to pass it in every session until they get the votes.
Am I too cynical? I hope I am wrong.
THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.
These are OUR Rights we are talking about here. This is a chance for the system to work in our favor instead of increasingly against us.
In addition to their bodyguards, of course. Taxpayer expense?
It's not dead yet, and we all got to work our butts off to make sure it DOES die.
As much as we would like to think the AWB will sunset, Do not be complacent! Schumer and Feinstein will make sure to bring up this issue in congress and will probably filibuster and disrupt the proceedings until the whiners get their way! Be vigilant and watch closely. This is not over yet!
Anxiously awaiting..........This is precisely the reason that I did not "add to the collection" as I know prices will come back down
Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty
Don't take this wrong, but what part of the above statement didn't you understand? :-) The battle is never over. Accept this and be happy we have the capability to fight it.
Maybe not next week - it wouldn't necessarily help Kerry's campaign to draw attention to the issue.
Thank GOD Clinton's semi-auto ban is about to take the eternal (let'shope and work for) "dirt nap". If it gets renewed, let's hope that ol' Bill gets struck down with a heart attack or something :) As far as celebrating with some Scotch, I'll second that. I never really liked Scotch, and have never personally bought any, but I've got a friend who is a Scotch GURU, and I have tried many different makers while at his house. However, if it looks like the s0-called Assault WeaponsScotch of mine, McCallen, and tilt a few in honor of the passing of this useless piece of liberal feel-good legislation.
"The Brady Bunch is supposedly planning a blitz on Congress to try and get them to re-up the legislation on an emergency vote."
More likely, they are planning a blitz on their contributors using this as bait.
Your preaching to the choir....my post was a warning not a consolation.
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