"Assault" Weapons

I have had several requests from readers of this blog to elaborate on the assault weapons ban of 1994. Specifically, I would like to point out the purpose of the ban, and how it really does not help anybody but criminals in the USA.

President Clinton and the Democratically led congress of 1994 passed this bill. In response, voters gave the Republicans control of congress later that year. In 2004, the ban expired, due to a "sunset" clause. Some feel Obama wishes to do this again. I think he does, but I also think he knows it will cost him the control in the house and the senate, so if he does it, look for it in his sixth year (I really hope he does not get re-elected).

"Assault" weapons had to be distinguished from "regular" firearms. To do so, the congress of 1994 set forth a list of prohibited features. It is here that I will dissect the ban for what it was worth (or, rather, what is was not worth!). Let's examine some of those "evil" features and what they really do:

1. Folding or telescoping stock.
The stock is the "butt" of the gun. You hold this part to your shoulder when firing. A folding or telescoping stock enables the rifle to be used by folks of different sizes. This is why the Army now uses the M4 (essentially an M-16 with a shorter barrel and a telescoping stock), because recruits come in different sizes.

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more comfort to a wider range of shooters.


2. Pistol Grip.
This is the handle part that you hold onto when aiming and firing a rifle. Compared to the older "upland" style grips, the pistol grip is more ergonomic and comfortable to hold. It also provides for more accurate aiming by changing the body ergonomics to a more comfortable angle.

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more comfort to a wider range of shooters.


3. Bayonet Mount.
This is a recessed area on the barrel that makes the attachment of an older-model bayonet possible. Please note that the bill did not ban bayonets, just the recessed area of metal that might allow for a bayonet to be attached.

These days, bayonet mounts come in many sizes and can attach easily to almost any barrel of any rifle or shotgun, with or without a recessed area on the barrel. So what good did this part of the legislation do? And how many stories in the news do you hear about 15 people getting bayonetted to death?

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more accessories to a wider range of shooters.


4. Flash suppressor.
This is a notched attachment at the end of a barrel. It has two major functions: a) it reduces flash to the rear of the muzzle, reducing powder burns and making the act of shooting even safer; and b) it reduces recoil (kickback) significantly, making shooting a more pleasant experience. My wife Michelle loves to shoot my AR-15 with the muzzle flash suppressor. Why? It enables her to shoot a powerful hunting and self defense rifle without feeling like her shoulder got kicked by the local mule.

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more comfort to a wider range of shooters.


5. Muzzle attachment for rifle activated grenade launcher.
Again, not banning grenade launchers themselves, just the attachment on the end of a barrel. Again, it makes no sense.

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more comfort to a wider range of shooters.


6. "High capacity magazines"
This limited new production magazines (often errantly referred to as "clips") to a capacity of 10 rounds or fewer. A magazine with more capacity means that I can spend a little more time at the range shooting, rather than reloading empty magazines.

A recent study of mass shootings since this legislation took effect showed that the killers would have been able to kill just as many with 10-round magazines as some of them did with 30-round magazines. Remember, the 10-round magazine is smaller and inherently easier to change out.

This DOES NOT make the rifle fire faster (and what would be wrong with that?) or make the bullets more powerful. This IS simply a feature to provide more comfort to a wider range of shooters.


Some additional facts:
The two most common "assault weapons" that were the target of this bill were the AK47 and AR15. It should be noted that the typical .30-'06 deer-hunting rifle is more powerful at 500 yards than either of these two "assault rifles" are at point-blank range!

The textbook definition of an "assault weapon" is a firearm that is capable of fully automatic fire. These weapons are already strictly controlled through hoops in the purchase process, price, and taxation.

I love it when people use the term "military style" weapon. Every type of firearm was at one point a military style weapon. In fact, the Federalist papers point out that the creation of the 2nd amendment was specifically to allow the public access to the military style weapons of the day. The King of England wanted to limit the number of weapons in each household and restrict them to hunting models, only (sound familiar?).

For the record:
A) AR-15's and AK-47's are semi-automatic.
B) "Semi-automatic" means if I press the trigger, only one shot is fired. To fire again, I must release the trigger and depress it again.
C) "Fully automatic) means that one press of the trigger will fire multiple shots. Usually until the gun is out of ammo, or until the trigger is released. Occasionally, there will be a gun that fires a three-shot burst when set to "fully automatic."

FINALLY:
The 2nd amendment is not about hunting. Hunting, is however, protected under it.
The 2nd amendment is not about sport shooting. Sport shooting is however, protected under it.
The 2nd amendment is not about self defense. Self defense is protected under it.
The 2nd amendment IS about the ability to remove a tyrannical government. It is therefore, the amendment most feared by Tyrants.

If a politician is willing to disregard your rights under the 2nd amendment, what other rights of yours will he disregard?