[AndyJackson]

The brief contains the lie that Machine Guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety

I believe in the constitution, and reluctantly believe that private possession of firearms is probably a good thing overall [I live in DC and the notion of the nutcases who work here walking around with guns is scary, but I concede the point on balance], but you gunnutters need to show some self restraint. Machine guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety as are 155mm Howitzers and nuclear bombs. When you overreach you scare folks who might otherwise be on your side.

[KDD]

Private possession of firearms is common here and carry conceal laws make an armed populace a fact of life that criminals have to take into account.

Latest 2006 Crimes per 100,000 People:

National

Washington, DC
Murder: 29.1

Tampa, FL
Murder: 7.5

I am surprised that DC has more murders then even Miami..Citizens in DC would appear to need armed protection worse then I do. We seem to draw the thieves and con artists in this part of the South.

[supercat]

Machine guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety

They are far less dangerous to safety than big-government anarchists (i.e. those agencies like the BATF who oppose lawful government)

[Atlas Sneezed]

Machine guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety

---

Please explain what facts justify this opinion of yours.

How many homicides per year were committed during 1934-1986 (before the ban the DOJ brief worries about being repealed), when one could go our and buy a new machine gun after a rigorous background check?

Or are you just basing your opinion on emotion, after seeing too many Hollywood movies?

[jwalsh07]

I believe in the constitution, and reluctantly believe that private possession of firearms is probably a good thing overall [I live in DC and the notion of the nutcases who work here walking around with guns is scary, but I concede the point on balance], but you gunnutters need to show some self restraint. Machine guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety as are 155mm Howitzers and nuclear bombs. When you overreach you scare folks who might otherwise be on your side.

The second amendment is pretty clear on the RTKABA's. And the justifying clause for that right makes it pretty clear that those arms are what one would need to be equipped for militia duty.

IOW's if the Second Amendment stands as is, it should be quite legal for Americans to arm themselves with M16's.

I do draw the line at Stealth Bombers however so I'm not a total nut.:-}

Just joshing, no right is absolute and the 2nd leaves plenty of room for regulation but no matter how one looks at it, we should be able to own the same weapon we were issued in Basic. See Israel.

[William Tell]

AndyJackson said: "... but you gunnutters need to show some self restraint. Machine guns are unusually dangerous to the public safety ..."

Here's a quick test for you. Osama Bin Shootin enters your crowded church with an "assault weapon" and three full twenty round magazines. He is not specifically targetting YOU. Would you prefer that he be firing full auto or semi-auto? And why?