Wednesday, September 08, 2004
You may or may not have heard about the impending expiration of the assault weapons ban. This sounds like a really bad thing, doesn't it? I think it is a bad thing, for people who like laws that are ridiculous.
Presumably, the main reason why people would be in favor of such a ban, is to reduce the ability of people (criminals, terrorists) to kill innocent people. This is a legitimate position, but unfortunately the law in question does not do this in the least. There are two factors that make up the potential killing ability of a rifle, the size of the bullet (caliber) and the rate these bullets can be fired (action). Neither of these factors are addressed in this law (and fully-automatic, military rifles are already highly regulated).
The law is based solely on the appearance of the gun. It states that rifles that have at least two of the following features are banned.
1) Folding stock
2) Pistol grip
3) Bayonet mount
4) Flash suppressor
5) Grenade launcher
Has the law really reduced the number of people being bayoneted or killed with launched grenades? No, because there were none to begin with. Basically the law bans guns that look bad. It's like instead of having a speed limit on the highways we just banned red cars. Your position on guns should have no relevance in this debate. This particular law is a debate on stupidity.
Presumably, the main reason why people would be in favor of such a ban, is to reduce the ability of people (criminals, terrorists) to kill innocent people. This is a legitimate position, but unfortunately the law in question does not do this in the least. There are two factors that make up the potential killing ability of a rifle, the size of the bullet (caliber) and the rate these bullets can be fired (action). Neither of these factors are addressed in this law (and fully-automatic, military rifles are already highly regulated).
The law is based solely on the appearance of the gun. It states that rifles that have at least two of the following features are banned.
1) Folding stock
2) Pistol grip
3) Bayonet mount
4) Flash suppressor
5) Grenade launcher
Has the law really reduced the number of people being bayoneted or killed with launched grenades? No, because there were none to begin with. Basically the law bans guns that look bad. It's like instead of having a speed limit on the highways we just banned red cars. Your position on guns should have no relevance in this debate. This particular law is a debate on stupidity.
