SENATE SHOOTS DOWN 10-YEAR-OLD GUN BAN

New York Post ^ | 3/03/04 | VINCENT MORRIS

[kattracks]

March 3, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - Assault weapons like AK-47s, "street sweepers" and Uzis could be up for sale again after the Senate yesterday rejected a bill to extend the ban on the deadly weapons. The current prohibition on a variety of semiautomatic weapons expires this fall, and Congress had been weighing efforts to renew the measure, which went into effect in 1994 under President Bill Clinton.

[DeuceTraveler]

I think the title may be off, kattracks.

[kattracks]

Thank you.

[SpyGuy]

Mayor Bloomberg said, "I am extremely relieved that the Senate has rejected a terrible bill that would have shielded irresponsible gun manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and trade associations from civil liability anytime they recklessly or negligently supplied guns to criminals."

With Republicans like Bloomberg, who needs Democrats?

[longtermmemmory]

But sources said that White House opposition, combined with strong gun support in the GOP-controlled House, could mean that the 10-year old ban will be allowed to die.

Funny how this morning the democrats were screaaaaaming that the white house supported renewing the ban. BUT NOOOwwwww, with the bitter taste of defeat, the WH was opposing the renewal?

I believe a clean imunity bill will be in the works if not before then after sept 13.

Of course, every anti-gun democrat is exposed.

[onyx]

But sources said that White House opposition, combined with strong gun support in the GOP-controlled House, could mean that the 10-year old ban will be allowed to die.

All the hand wringing about POTUS seems to have been misdirected, provided this article is true, which it appears to be.

[armyboy]

police chiefs from New York to California worried, fearful that crooks will once again have ready access to a range of foreign and U.S. machine guns I want some of they are smoking, it has to be some good stuff.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't civilian machine guns banned in 1934?

[Madstrider]

The current prohibition on a variety of semiautomatic weapons expires this fall. ...
The soon-to-expire ban has police chiefs from New York to California worried, fearful that crooks will once again have ready access to a range of foreign and U.S. machine guns - including the Galil Israeli assault rifle and Colt's civilian version of the M-16.

How IGNORANT can the media be? "Semiautomatic weapon" and "machine gun" are mutually exclusive categories. The so-called "assault weapons ban" did NOT in any way regulate machine guns (which have been covered by a special federal law since the 1920s), and the expiration of the 1994 law will have no effect on machine gun availability.

It is the UNBELIEVEABLE IGNORANCE of the media -- people who clearly don't know what "semiautomatic" means -- that makes this such a tough issue for defenders of the Second Amendment.

[onyx]

Media and Diane Feinstein read the same dictionary. Diane of course, carries her own concealed weapon, but she tries her best to prohibit other women from doing same.

[longtermmemmory]

really? I did not know that. Amazing, every leftist want to have a gun and keep others from carrying. (even rosie odonuts got into that tiff with tom selick over that)

[bruoz]

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't civilian machine guns banned in 1934?"
The National Firearms Act of 1934 required the registration and taxation of machineguns, sawed off shotguns and rifles, destructive devices etc. It did not ban anything from civilian ownership.

[tomakaze]

re:The National Firearms Act of 1934 required the registration and taxation of machineguns, sawed off shotguns and rifles, destructive devices etc. It did not ban anything from civilian ownership.
 
Tell that to Randy Weaver, or any of the survivors of the Waco massacre.

[prion]

See, this is where this legislation confuses the hell out of me. You can buy an AK-47 in my local gun shop for around $300. I'm pretty sure you could get an Uzi. I know some states allow full auto machine guns, with some paperwork.

What exactly is banned?

[livius]

Actually, I'm pretty ignorant. Could somebody explain to me the difference between a semi-automatic weapon and a machine gun? In simple language?

Thanks.

[mabelkitty]

50-50 chance?
Right, Chuck. We're going to see Senate Democrats grab guns right before the election. Yup, that'll happen.

[Jaysun]

Semi-automatic means that only one bullet comes out each time you pull the trigger (even if you hold the trigger down). A Machine gun (what most people call a machine gun) is usually fully automatic - meaning that it will quickly spit out bullets for as long as you hold the trigger down.

[.30Carbine]

Semi-auto means you put one round in the chamber (using the gun's action, whether bolt-action or whatever), pull the trigger, and new rounds of ammo automatically cycle into the chamber with each successive trigger pull. One trigger pull equals both one shot and one new round in the chamber, ready for another pull of the trigger with no manual action (bolt or otherwise) by the shooter.

Full-auto machine guns fire multiple rounds with one trigger pull.

[.30Carbine]

You did better than I did...more concise. Good for you!

[bullseye1911]

It is the UNBELIEVEABLE IGNORANCE of the media -- people who clearly don't know what "semiautomatic" means -- that makes this such a tough issue for defenders of the Second Amendment.

I would contend the supposed "ignorance" is held by the populance. The media knows the difference, but chooses to blur the distinctions. Regards.

[Jaysun]

You did better than I did...more concise. Good for you!

You're being modest. I was about to send you the same message. You're the best, and dammit I mean that!