Extending ban on assault weapons; Sen. Feinstein wants temporary prohibition to become permanent

Victorville Daily Press ^ | 08-24-03

[Brian S]

By MIKE CRUZ

Staff Writer

The current assault weapons ban is scheduled to expire in September 2004. To get the bill passed in 1994, supporters had to agree to "a 10-year sunset," said Howard Gantman, a spokesman for the senator.

Feinstein's proposed legislation aims to permanently prohibit the manufacture of 19 types of military-style assault weapons as well as a group of assault weapons that have been banned by characteristic for eight years, according to Feinstein's press office.

The legislation also protects roughly 670 hunting and recreational rifles for use by legal gun owners, and enables law enforcement agencies to use newly manufactured semi-automatic assault weapons, according to Feinstein's press office.

"It will be a tough fight, but it's the right fight," said Gantman, adding that the group has a growing coalition of resources coming together.

"(Assault weapons) are primarily, in this day and age, a collector's gun," said Ray Beeson, owner of Victor Valley Shooters in Apple Valley.

Beeson spends a lot of time staying current on gun laws and their amendments, which he then often explains to customers and local police officers.

The ban's definitions and fees charged to gun owners really upset Beeson. While the ban started with a list of manufacturers and specific guns that could not be made or sold, it has evolved into a list of definitions and characteristics with accessories that cannot be applied to any gun, he said.

For example, Victor Valley Shooters legally sells Winchester rifles. But with the addition of a flash suppresser or a grip that extends below the action of the weapon, the rifles become classified as assault weapons under the ban, Beeson explained.

"It makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever," Beeson said.

Mike Cruz can be reached at mike_cruz@link.freedom.com or

951-6276.

[RogueIsland]

Yep, because the media frenzy caused normal thinking people into believing a military "style" looking weapon was more dangerous than a simple looking hunting rifle.

Don't worry, they'll get to those "sniper rifles" next.

[WestPacSailor]

Maybe I'll put it on a .wav file and post it on FR.......

Heck, we'd be happy with a transcript.

[toothless]

Prohibition huh? Didn't we try that once already?

[Joe Brower]

Same sh!t, different day...

[Atlas Sneezed]

"The legislation also protects roughly 670 hunting and recreational rifles for use by legal gun owners, and enables law enforcement agencies to use newly manufactured semi-automatic assault weapons, according to Feinstein's press office."

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A well-entertained and well-fed populace being necessary to a fun state, the right of the people to keep and bear certain arms shall not be infringed.

[Xphantasos]

FeinzWein can get bent..

[The_Macallan]

Ms. Feinstein states that:
"...assault weapons are designed to kill as many people as possible in rapid-fire succession."
~ From Dianne Feinstein's webpage

Yet according to her newly-proposed "Assault weapon" law:
"Assault weapons may be legally produced for use by law enforcement agencies..."
~ From Brady Campaign.

Soooo...

...why in the world do POLICE need weapons that are "designed to kill as many people as possible in rapid-fire succession"?????

Does Ms. Feinstein want the Police to start herding people onto railroad cars too?

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It's Not Just A Gun...

It's My "HOMELAND DEFENSE RIFLE"!!

[At _War_With_Liberals]

look at swinestein's face. I don't scare easy, but she SCARES me in this photo. She looks like a stone cold killer!

[King Prout]

She looks like a stone cold killer!

...with a full-on chubby. yes: she does indeed.

[King Prout]

I'm currently making an odds-book on when my 'scoped Remington "Jam-O-Matic" 30-06 semiauto deer-rifle shall be redefined as a military-style high-power sniper-rifle.
he scary thing is, many military snipers favor BOLT ACTION rifles, so the "sniper rifle ban" could conceivably result in illegalizing damn-near everything more potent than a .22 caliber rifle.
Folks need to think. HARD.

[csvset]

Dan White picked the wrong City Supervisor.