How has the "Assault Weapons" ban affected you?

vanity-self | 4/19/03 | self

[Wild Game]

Has the "Assault Weapons" ban prevented you from enjoying, purchasing, selling or trading firearms? How? How did it not change anything for you?

[Wild Game]

I must admit, except for folks who have been slapped with a restraining order of some kind, I fail to see how this assault weapons ban has had any affect.

Since the ban's signing and its enforcement, I've been able to buy 20, 30, 40, 50, and 75 round mags, an AK47, a couple of SKS's, shotguns, a Tech 9 by intratech (before Harris and Kleibol had one!), large cap mags for anything, even a 30 rounder for my Browning Hi-Power 9mm (LOL Don't know why!). I've purchased weapons made in China, Serbia, Russia, and Romania.

I'm not for any weapons ban at all, and I'm not a total one issue Republican. I have a few "litmis test" of my own. Abortion, 2nd Amedment, Taxes. I just fail to see how this weapons ban has stopped someone from buying and owning any firearm they could before the ban. Again, with the one exception of the restraining orders floating around out there.

Maybe if I read stories from freepers that had problems or their rights violated I could understand better the illegal law's infringement.

My story doesn't reflect a major problem.

The bill's renewel needs to be defeated in the Senate, I agree, but to allow the demoncraps to get re-elected or elected over a law that doesn't affect our rights (even though the gun grappers thought it would) is really crazy.

Thanks for replying....

[11th Earl of Mar]

bump for later

[goldylight]

i just bought an american AK 47 by arsenal inc with a 40 round clip... no problems

[Pern]

OK, I'll admit my ignorance and ask a question: Does the 'Assault Weapons Ban' have the Lautenberg ammendment in it?

[Cannon6]

Has not bothered me. I have more than one interest in life.

[error99]

A couple of things:
1)All of the things that you say you bought cost you twice what they should have cost because of the ban on new manufacture or importation. There is a limited supply to meet an increasing demand.

2)The ban effectively puts a halt to any R&D, improvements, innovation. It is not in the text of the ban, it is a consequence of the ban. Spending money on innovation can not be justified by maufacturers or inventors, because the manufacture of any new items would be illegal. In other words, had the ban been in place earlier, ther would have never been a TEC series or a MAC series, etc, etc. Of course, the 'antis' see that as a 'good' thing. But th ban has curtailed the introduction of 'new' weapons and innovations.

[Wild Game]

Lautenberg wanted many things, I don't think his amendment made it. It would have banned everything out right except for BB guns and sling shots!

[cynicom]

Has the differing bans on handguns affected me???? Not at all. Never owned a gun in my life. Do I despise the assorted handgun laws around this nation, yes I do.

[Larry Lucido]

Ditto that. Plus, the restrictions constitute one more chink in a fundamental right. Worse, they attempt to make distinctions that really cannot be made. Once one scary weapon is defined as an "assault weapon," it is easy to keep redefining additional arms as assault weapons.

[Puppage]

It doesn't NEED to affect anyone in order to be wrong. Ban & censor are 2 of the worst words in the English language, IMHO. Some schools have BANNED Huckley Berry Finn & Tom Sawyer because they FEEL it's offensive. Does THAT affect you?

It SHOULD piss you off.Are people just going to sit back & let someone dictate what you can read & shoot with? To WHAT END? Where will it stop???Just who ARE these BAN FREAKS, hmm?

This is nothing more than a feel good law"</> period.

[CWOJackson]

None whatsoever.

I've never had any desire to buy any surplus Soviet Bloc junk and have no need for a bayonet mount.

[Wild Game]

I understand what you're saying, but a Yugo SKS is $129.00, and Romanian AK47 is about $200. How much lower can they go?

As far as the Tec's, Intratec came out wth an AB 10, same as the Tec 9, weighs 4 ounces more to comply with the law. R&D is a very good point however.

[AAABEST]

One way it's affected me personally is that it's one more "toe in the door" of leftist incrementalism. The left wants my offspring disarmed and this is one more step.

Take it from the standpoint that I actually believe the "equal justice" clause of the constitution. That means that if a police officer's or a politician's life is of enough value to be protected by fully automatic weapons, so is mine, yours or anyone elses. They are no more entitled to the added protection a flash suppressor gives than we are. They are not better than us, they're not "special" people, and they're not Lord's or royalty.

So for a person like me that feels the citizen should allowed to have the same personal arms as any police officer, the AWB is a terrible step in the wrong direction. We need to be un-restricting "black gun" ownership, not placing more restrictions on them.

Another reason is because the law asinine. I had a guy approach me on the range once and offer me 30 round clips at a good price. I didn't dare buy them because I couldn't verify when the effen things were manufactured. God forbid I bought one that was made one day after the ban, I could go to jail for a long time and lose my rights, when the stupid thing is made exactly like the one that was made one day before the ban.

After a while the pre-ban mags are going to start getting too old to use, which is exactly what the gun grabbers want. It's not just about me, it's about my children.

It also affects me personally because this is my country, and I take it personally. It's bad enough having leftists eroding our rights bit by bit, year after year until one day we'll have nothing left. It's unforgivable when we have those who pretend to be on "our" side joining them to protect their own worthless, turncoat, yellow skin.

That's how the AWB has "affected" me.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Huckley Berry

Are you series?

[Wild Game]

HEY!

I didn't mention the American made stuff I own because the ban is for imports!

Junk? No bayonet?

Its just for fun! LOL!

[Puppage]

Unfortunately, yes. Unbelievable, isn't it?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Huckley Berry

That's the guy that's way back in Halle Berry's woodshed. :)

[Merdoug]

The bushbots come out in droves,... "Yeah! Hasn't affected me any! Bush is a great guy!" "Mexicans pouring over the borders? No problem! I'm not affected; I'm a corporate executive,..." "Tax cut? Who needs a tax cut? I just bought my second beamer,..."
Just chant:
BUSH IS GREAT
BUSH IS GREAT
BUSH IS GREAT
So removing freedoms hasn't affect you? Ever heard of the second amendment? The wacko's calling Bush the next Hitler are beginning to sound not so wacko,...

[error99]

"...How much lower can they go? ..."
- -
You would have to check the price history.
They aren't going lower - they are going higher.
(Dang it, full Auto AK's are going for $5 in Iraq and Afghanistan; and they sell 'em in flea-markets !)

[HamiltonJay]

What are you talking about there would be no MAC or TEC series? Submachine guns certainly would have been developed with or without the assault weapons ban, militaries are constantly developing weapons... I find your argument that innovation has been stifled in firearms unsupported by facts. Seems like nothing more than opinion.

You seem to forget that single biggest driver of weapons technology, is unquestionably the military and warfare, not joe consumer. R&D certainly has not stopped in firearms, nor will it stop.

[CWOJackson]

I always laughed at the bayonet lug element of the ban; apparently being able to fix a bayonet to your weapon makes it an assault weapon.

I remember a few folks being upset about that though. As if many folks are going to run screaming down range to bayonet their target or make a bayonet assault on a mule deer.

[Pern]

I'm refering to the Lautenberg Ammendment that states person's convicted of Misdemeanor Domestic Violence cannot purchase guns. It first started w/ handguns, then graduated to long guns a couple of years ago.

[HamiltonJay]

(Dang it, full Auto AK's are going for $5 in Iraq and Afghanistan; and they sell 'em in flea-markets !)

Yea, and you can buy a 5 year old girl for $10... so WHAT? You are comparing the weapons market of the middle east as your price point for Guns? What's a loaf of bread cost in Afghanistan? What's the annual income of the typical household? Your comparisons are flawed.

[Wild Game]

This isn't a Bush thread, its a gun nut thread. I'm one of them. I'm against the AWB and have been for a long time, protesting and calling and e-mailing.

I'm looking for more understanding on how its hurt Americans and their rights.

This thread, therefore might do more harm to Bush than good, with stories of a failed law.

So, put away your pitchfork, Pat isn't running again, sorry.

[MissAmericanPie]

The infringment is on the Consitution, and the "what is, is" treatment of the clear meaning of the Constitution and it's author's intentions.

A well armed citizenry is free to over throw a tyranical goverment, even this one if the need should arise. As has been seen in Iraq, that is hard to do with dad's old deer rifle. That is point one and one of the main points recorded in the Declaration of Independence and in the writing of the framers of the Constitution.

Point two is that once the government inserts itself into any area of the "all other rights are retained by the people", it becomes abusive and intrusive. It is never a good idea, as history has proven time and again, for the people to be made to register their arms. The U.N. and it's gun grabbing agenda has far too much influence in the USofA and it's sovereign people.

When the snipers were on the loose in D.C. it became clear that D.C. does not destroy it's records within 24 hours as required, so already they abuse the law while holding us to laws. I hope this clears it up for you.

[error99]

"...Seems like nothing more than opinion. ..."
- -
Yup.
That's exactly right.
And, gee, I thought that is what this thread was about...
Silly me!
How dare I have an opinion!
You are a pretty fart smucker, aren't you?
And I suppose your pixels are more than just opinion?
Pardon me, while once again, I ignore your arrogance.

[AAABEST]

You seem to forget that single biggest driver of weapons technology, is unquestionably the military and warfare, not joe consumer.

No, you don't know what you're talking about, not the poster you replied to.

Most innovations made to small arms technology throughout history due to innovative private citizens who lived in a free country. If the AWB would have been in place long ago, there would never have been a John Browning, Eugene Stoner or possibly even Samual Colt. You know who those people are don't you?

Your statement above "unquestionably" get's the horsecrap statement of the day award, even though it's early.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You know, you may be right. I thought it was the guy who shot Reagan, but it's not spelled the same.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Put down the coffee, and back away from the keyboard.

[TheBlackFeather]

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I can't find any over-10 shot mags for a Para-Ord P-12. They can't be bought through the company, as a result of the ban. If anyone out there has a line on where to find these items, please let me know.

[TooBusy]

Prices for high capacity handgun mags are through the roof and for new guns they often don't exist (for the civilian).

If the ban is not endend more than likely the loopholes - evil features , US parts count , etc - will be taken into account for the rewrite. This is a bill that expires 9/04, so if a new bill is allowed to be introduced don't expect it to be less restrictive than the present law.

[TN4Liberty]

The wacko's calling Bush the next Hitler are beginning to sound not so wacko,...

No, trust me, they sound completely wacko.

[AAABEST]

Nice worn out FR cliche´. I haven't heard from you in a while, have you been on some kind of geek-retreat or something?

[Kevin Curry]

Just read all the repsonses from the one-issue whiners. The consensus answer so far: No.

Oh, they squirm and spit about phantom "injury" of various kinds, but that brass-tacks, bottom-line, striaght-up answer is "No, the assault weapons ban has not affected my ability to buy whatever the hell I want whenever the hell I want."

[Thane_Banquo]

I agree. As Thomas Jefferson once said, "The rights of one are interesting to the many."

(Not sure if that's the exact quote.)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Before the "assault weapons" ban I owned one shotgun and a half a box of shells.

Because of the "assault weapons" ban I became a lifetime member of the NRA and started going to gun shows at every opportunity.

I now own two shotguns, two Ruger Mini-14's, one Remington 700 30-06, one Ruger 10/22, one Russian SKS, one Ruger P-89 9mm, one Ruger P-90 .45, one Ruger G100 .357, one Ruger Mark II .22, one Russian Makarov 9mm and several thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers, gauges and loads.

I also vote early and often and donated $300 to Dubya's Presidential campaign.

[Wild Game]

I think "MissAmericanPie" has the sole reason for shredding this UnConstitutional law to pieces.

However, I was wondering if anyone has been denied or even arrested for violating this ban.

Domestic Violence arrestees/convictees can't purchase a firearm. I saw one complaint about that.

Question is, should ANYONE be restricted from owning a firearm?

Pot smokers, rapist, wife beaters, speeders, shoplifters, killers?

What is the limit, or should there be one?

[AAABEST]

I'm laughing at your rich and enlightening #36. I don't know if you were trying to be funny and ironic, but it sure came out that way.

[onceone]

I guess I am a "one issue" kind of guy. I tend to view things balanced against the Constitution. The AWB is unconstitutional. The fact the Supreme Court has not ruled it as such is just a reflection of their growing irrelevance.

The AWB has affected me in various ways. I pay higher costs for increasingly older products. I can not purchase items that are functionally identical, yet are cosmetically different. Having unconstitutional laws hanging around for, in this case a decade, tends to instutionalize them. Children are taught they are correct, people change their activities based on them.

I live in California. If things like the AWB were stopped at the Federal level, and identified for what they are, I would not have to live under the increasingly onerous laws the nut cases in Sacramento keep dreaming up.

[Jhoffa_]

How? How did it not change anything for you?

I don't have a gun in the house right now (I own some, they are in storage at my parents. I hate to leave them here alone in case of theft) I haven't shot a gun in years and I will surely never, ever purchase an "Assault weapon" of any type.

But, yes.. It's affected me. It's one more Unconstitutional law that doesn't have a "Jhoffa_ Exemption" It affects everyone.

Your post is offensive to me. I think it's a foolish thing to ask.

To take what you wrote at face value, perhaps I should ask you why people who don't own guns should be concerned about the Second Amendment at all. I mean, since it obviously doesn't "affect them" they shouldn't worry about it, right?

Why should Gentiles oppose a law that discriminates against Jews, since it doesn't "affect them"

Why should adults oppose laws against abortion when they obviously aren't "affected"

[Jhoffa_]

Hey, so long as it's someone elses ox, right?

Disgusting..

[philman_36]

Has the "Assault Weapons" ban prevented you from enjoying, purchasing, selling or trading firearms? How? How did it not change anything for you?
The day isn't done and the sun hasn't set...yet (see "Taps")

Feinstein and Schumer Welcome President Bush's Support of Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization
Senators Feinstein and Schumer, authors of the original assault weapons legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives, will introduce legislation to reauthorize the ban shortly after Congress returns from recess. The legislation would:
Reauthorize the prohibition on manufacture, transfer, and possession military-style assault weapons, while protecting hunting rifles and other firearms.
Close the clip-importation loophole, which prohibits the sale of domestically produced high-capacity ammunition magazines, but allows foreign companies to continue to bring them into the country by the millions.
Preserve the right of police officers and other law enforcement officials to use and obtain newly manufactured semi-automatic assault weapons.

[Wild Game]

LOL! I know!

Everytime I heard the names of Diane, Chuck, and Sara, I'd buy two more guns!

Never attended so many gun shows either!

[B Knotts]

Preserve the right of police officers and other law enforcement officials to use and obtain newly manufactured semi-automatic assault weapons.

I now know the perfect "poison pill" amendment to kill this. Propose an amendment that removes the above. After all, we don't want those EVIL weapons to get into the wrong hands, do we? Ha ha.

[Double Tap]

Let me see, I now have to pay $100 for a Glock G17 standard capacity mag that I used to buy for $15 before the ban. I now have to pay $40 for a NIW AR-15 mag that I used to buy for $17.

I can no longer get a real flash suppressor, instead they put on muzzle brakes that make the gun louder than it needs to be, and more obnoxious to those around you at the range. Lets not forget the folding or collapsable stocks that are oh so deadly, and oh so illegal. God only knows how many lives that has saved.

A pre-ban AR or AK is now worth twice as much as a new gun. See how that supply and demand thing works? Are you getting the picture? See, I have done nothing wrong, broken no laws, threaten no person. And yet I am penalized if I want to have a gun with a flash suppressor and bayonet lug on it.

You mentioned SKS's. They now cost twice as much as they did before the ban.

So what is your point, if any? Lets not forget, we are talking about the Bill of Rights.

[AAABEST]

Question is, should ANYONE be restricted from owning a firearm?

Answer is yes. Those who've proven themselves dangerous to society such as verifiably (not subjective) mentally ill and violent (as opposed to non-violent) felons. I don't think any reasonable person would argue with that.

Where we're heading with idiot legislation such as the AWB is that anyone a politician or liberal believes to be dangerous can have their human right of self defense stripped from them, which eventually will be everyone except for criminals, the elite and police. This is the dream of the anit-Americanist and we're letting it happen.

[Spandau]

I have to run U.S.-made parts in my FALs in order to comply with 922r. They are of lesser quality than the originals and make the rifles unreliable. It's a ridiculous and expensive ritual that takes a lot of fun out of the hobby, but I guess that was the purpose.

[Double Tap]

It's not just for imports. The ban on mags is for all guns. Same with stocks and flash suppressors and bayonet lugs.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Busy boy. Not much time for this stuff anymore.

Oh, consider this an early Xmas gift from me to you :o)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

What is the limit, or should there be one?

People in prisons or on parole should not be allowed to own guns. Everyone else should.