Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bloomberg-Bought Dems in Virginia Try to Ban Most Guns
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20191125/bloomberg-bought-virginia-legislators-introduce-confiscator ^ | 12/2/2019 | Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Posted on 12/02/2019 9:50:39 AM PST by Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Mike Bloomberg’s gun control group outspent the NRA in Virginia’s election by multitudes, hoping to clinch new seats and make unconstitutional inroads against the Second Amendment in the Old Dominion. Bloomberg’s plan unfortunately appears to have paid off: Senator Richard L. Saslaw, Bloomberg’s bought-and-paid-for Democrat, recently introduced legislation that would effectively outlaw most semiautomatic firearms in the state. Bill SB 16, introduced by Saslaw on November 18, states, “It is unlawful for any person to import, sell, transfer, manufacture, purchase, possess, or transport an assault firearm.” The bill greatly expands the state’s arbitrary definition of an “assault firearm” to include most modern firearms:

A semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a fixed magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds, or with a detachable magazine that has one of the following characteristics:

(i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the rifle; (iii) a thumbhole stock; (iv) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (v) a bayonet mount; (vi) a grenade launcher; (vii) a flare launcher; (viii) a silencer; (ix) a flash suppressor; (x) a muzzle brake; (xi) a muzzle compensator; (xii) a threaded barrel… or (xiii) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (xii);

A semi-automatic centerfire pistol with a fixed magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds, or with a detachable magazine that has one of the following characteristics:

(i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock; (iii) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (iv) the capacity to accept a magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip; (v) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the pistol with the non-trigger hand without being burned; (vi) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; (vii) a threaded barrel… or (viii) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (vii);

A shotgun with a revolving cylinder or one of the following characteristics:

(i) a folding or telescoping stock, (ii) a thumbhole stock, (iii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the shotgun, (iv) the ability to accept a detachable magazine, (v) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds, or (vi) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (v).

Reading through the dizzying amount of restrictions, it quickly becomes apparent Bloomberg’s proxy war on the Second Amendment is alive and well. If passed, SB 16 would effectively ban nearly all semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns – and there are no provisions listed in the bill for grandfathering any currently-owned firearms. The bill also mandates that any violation of the new restrictions is punishable as a Class 6 felony, or up to five years in prison. That means the moment the bill goes into effect, tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of gun-owning Virginians would suddenly be classified as felons under threat of harsh imprisonment. But SB 16 isn’t particularly worrying for all its explicit restrictions. Rather, the bill is one of the worst gun control attempts in recent history because of what it doesn’t say. The legislation repeatedly calls for the need to restrict “any characteristics of like kind” – features of a gun not defined in the bill. The sole purpose of this language is to cast an unconstitutionally vague net over any other firearms or gun parts the state Democrats find to be illegal by their standards, without requiring them to obtain any knowledge or context.

In this writer’s opinion, the language is a damning admission of Democratic ignorance: “We want to ban other guns, but we’re too uninformed to say which ones. We’re using characteristics because we can’t be bothered to understand how these guns work, either.” The consequences of the bill are immediately apparent. For example, Ruger’s popular Precision Rimfire Rifle – a target-shooting rifle chambered in .22 LR – would be banned because it accepts a detachable box magazine. Any popular and commonly owned hunting shotguns with a pistol grip or thumbhole stock would be banned, too. But it gets worse still. The legislation casts an even wider net which truly illustrates the unconstitutional reach Democrats are trying to garner: “”Assault firearm" includes any part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert, modify, or otherwise alter a firearm into an assault firearm, or any combination of parts that may be readily assembled into an assault firearm.” This language bans any gun part which could be used to make a gun into an “assault weapon” by the bill’s definitions. That means owning nothing more than a pistol grip for an AR-15 would make you a felonious gun owner in Virginia. Imagine going to prison for up to five years because you own a piece of plastic shaped to fit your palm. The reason behind why Saslaw and state Dems included this blanket ban on accessories is readily apparent: They’re afraid of the AR-15, the most popular and easily modifiable rifle sold in America today.

In fact, the AR-15 could arguably be the “most banned” gun by SB 16’s language. After all, nearly every component on a typical AR-15 meets the features test for being defined as an “assault firearm”: Telescoping stocks, pistol grips, 30-round box magazines, muzzle devices, forward-facing grips, and threaded barrels mark the very construction of even a basic black rifle. This language also appears to ban the sale, ownership, and use of any type of gun-making kits and parts. The 80% lower receiver – one of many firearm blanks not regulated but affirmed to be legal by the ATF – can be used to build an AR-15 at home and was made popular in the past five years by amateur gunsmiths. Yet SB 16 says since the rifle’s individual parts (like the lower receiver) could be used to make an assault firearm, it could be argued that the receiver blank is, too, considered an assault firearm. The same would apply to any type of build kits and gunsmithing tool kits frequently purchased online, which include firearm parts identified in the bill. If you’re a pistol lover, you’ll find little solace in this bill. SB 16 also bans the import, sale, and ownership of magazines that can hold 10 or more rounds, punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Since nearly every semiautomatic pistol in existence has a magazine with such a capacity, most handgun owners in Virginia would be labeled criminals, too.

The bill currently resides at the Virginia House floor. If the bill passes, it would likely provide a worrying boon for Bloomberg’s anti-gun White House campaign. Residents are strongly urged to contact your state senators and local representatives and demand a vote against SB 16.


TOPICS: Government; Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: banglist; guns; nra; secondamendment; virginia
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

1 posted on 12/02/2019 9:50:39 AM PST by Black_Rifle_Gunsmith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Got Democrats?


2 posted on 12/02/2019 10:01:03 AM PST by chris37 (Where's Hunter?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith
How fast can the NRA or the GOA get into court and enjoin this travesty if it is passed into law? What are the chances that the radical Dems soon to be in charge in Virginia can prevail? Any knowledgeable FReepers have an opinion?
3 posted on 12/02/2019 10:02:50 AM PST by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

And the gun owners in VA just sit on their asses. Hey! Maybe voting will help! Lol


4 posted on 12/02/2019 10:03:10 AM PST by dware (Americans prefer peaceful slavery over dangerous freedom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

A semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a fixed magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds, or with a detachable magazine that has one of the following characteristics:

(i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the rifle; (iii) a thumbhole stock; (iv) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (v) a bayonet mount; (vi) a grenade launcher; (vii) a flare launcher; (viii) a silencer; (ix) a flash suppressor; (x) a muzzle brake; (xi) a muzzle compensator; (xii) a threaded barrel… or (xiii) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (xii);
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The way I read this, the Ruger Mini 30 and Mini 14 are still OK.


5 posted on 12/02/2019 10:04:26 AM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents_Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Corrected: Try to Ban Most Guns in the hands of Non-Violent Honest Citizens.


6 posted on 12/02/2019 10:06:52 AM PST by I want the USA back (If free speech is taken away, dumb and silent we are led, like sheep to the slaughter: G Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dware

There is a rally planned. Our handiman says every redneck in VA is going to be there. It is still open carry in VA.


7 posted on 12/02/2019 10:12:03 AM PST by Oldexpat (Jobs Not Mobs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Any time the Democrats talk about banning “assault weapons”, they mean all semiautomatic weapons...rifles and pistols.


8 posted on 12/02/2019 10:21:08 AM PST by antidemoncrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin

I was thinking the same thing. Provided it doesn’t have a muzzle brake/flash suppressor, or more than a 10 round mag.
Hey! Maybe mini 14 mags will finally become afordable


9 posted on 12/02/2019 10:28:23 AM PST by magyars4
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Oldexpat

Sure, open carry is. Patriotism, on the other hand, is sorely lacking.


10 posted on 12/02/2019 10:34:21 AM PST by dware (Americans prefer peaceful slavery over dangerous freedom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

I see the NRA finally got back from their vacation. Meanwhile, the VCDL has been creating 2nd amendment sanctuary counties all over the western side of the state and planning massive rallies. Also, I am not sure the writer has really read the bill, the bill says center-fire rifles with detachable magazines.


11 posted on 12/02/2019 10:46:19 AM PST by ClayinVA ("Those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lurkinanloomin
The way I read this, the Ruger Mini 30 and Mini 14 are still OK.

For now.

12 posted on 12/02/2019 10:54:44 AM PST by Oatka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith
From here:

Democrats have a strong incentive, in the form of millions in dark money, to implement new gun control laws. CNBC reported that Everytown for Gun Safety — a gun control-advocacy group largely bankrolled by billionaire Michael Bloomberg — "spent $2.5 million this year to influence voters in Virginia versus approximately $300,000 by the NRA, which has its headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia."

Of course the mainstream media has the masses believing the big bad NRA is throwing around billions of dollars, when the reality is they don't really spend that much, especially compared to the side with multiple billionaires (Michael Bloomberg, Edward Stack, etc.) in its corner.

13 posted on 12/02/2019 10:56:55 AM PST by Trump20162020
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

Seems like the Virginians are in permanent free-fall


14 posted on 12/02/2019 11:04:53 AM PST by Theodore R.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith
A semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a fixed magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds...

So my M1 Garand makes the cut even though it is literally a "semi-automatic weapon of war?"

A semi-automatic centerfire pistol with a fixed magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds, or with a detachable magazine that has one of the following characteristics . . .(iv) the capacity to accept a magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip..."

Having a lot of problems in Virginia with criminals carrying broomhandle Mausers, are they?
15 posted on 12/02/2019 11:35:00 AM PST by The Pack Knight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

OMG the horrid bayonet mount! Quick! How many people in the USA have been killed with a fixed bayonet since 1900!

Must be an epidemic of them!


16 posted on 12/02/2019 12:19:34 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

We’ve come a long way from the 1960s through the 1980s when the cry was “WE Only want to register all guns, and ban handguns! Rifles will not be affected!”

“Rifles will not be affected!”
“Rifles will not be affected!”
“Rifles will be affected!”


17 posted on 12/02/2019 12:26:33 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Black_Rifle_Gunsmith
The bill would ban:"A semi-automatic centerfire rifle ... with a detachable magazine that has one of the following characteristics: ... (v) a bayonet mount..."

I look forward to seeing how the liberals on the Supreme Court attempt to justify banning a rifle simply because it has a bayonet mount.

18 posted on 12/02/2019 12:34:42 PM PST by William Tell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Pack Knight

No it’s the semi auto versions of the CZ Scorpion, H&K MP5, Micro Dracos, etc. that they want to ban.


19 posted on 12/02/2019 12:50:53 PM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents_Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ClayinVA

The NRA needs its ace legal team on this and planning for what court actions they can take when this or a dozen other anti-gun bills that have been prefiled are rammed through by the Democrat majority early next year. The Dems intend to cripple conservatives and turn Virginia into a version of New York or California. It looks like that only court action might slow them down because they will have total control of the state government.


20 posted on 12/02/2019 1:14:28 PM PST by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson