Amus, Here are my thoughts and opinions on your questions;
"Should fully automatic weapons be available to the general public assuming they pass some sort of background check?"
No. However you can currently be licensed by the BATFE to own fully automatic weapons but it's not an easy license to get.
"Should semi-automatic weapons be available to the general public assuming they pass some sort of background check?"
Yes. They are currently available and the existing background check applies. Semi-Automatic guns can be anything from a .22 rifle like the Ruger 10-22 to a 50 caliber rifle, a shotgun, or most any caliber pistol.
"What about large (greater than 10 round) magazines?"
Yes. Limiting magazine quantity is simply a feel good thing for the politicians to do. Most handguns hold between 7 and 13 rounds depending on the caliber. Let’s say for the sake of argument that they pass a law that says a magazine or clip can hold no more than 10 rounds. My Glock 27 holds 10 rounds. I can carry multiple clips and can change clips in approximately 3-4 seconds. If I were to practice speed changing clips, I could probably get that down to about 2 seconds. The same goes for my Ruger 10-22. The factory clip holds 10 rounds; it can be changed in less than 5 seconds.
"To a gun enthusiast, what is the purpose for owning these things?
I honestly have no interest in them myself, so I admittedly don't understand the attraction."
It's the same attraction that any person has for their hobby. Car collectors, motorcycle collectors, model trains, stamps, coins, etc.
"Hunting?
Seems to me that would remove any semblance of "sport" from the sport."
You generally wouldn't take a 100 round magazine when you go hunting. Although having multiple rounds is a good thing. If you wound an animal when you are hunting you want another round so you can dispatch it quickly so it doesn't suffer.
"Self protection?
Does one really need an assault weapon to defend against a home invasion?
Seems like overkill (pardon the pun)."
The reason someone wants something shouldn't be questioned as long as it is for legal purposes. That being said the "assault weapon", which is just a media made up term, doesn't really make a good home defense weapon. There is too much chance that a round could go through your house and into a neighbor’s house. IMO, the best home defense weapon is a pump shotgun like the Remington 700 or a Mossberg 500.
"Protection from tyrannical Government?
This seems like pure folly considering the firepower available to the Government.
This didn't work out very well for the well-armed Branch Davidians.
Seems to me the only way tyrannical governments have been overthrown is when the number of those oppressed reaches a tipping point.
If you want to overthrow a Government when all you have is a small number of well armed cranky nut jobs seems like you have a minority wanting to impose their will on the rest of us, literally at the point of a gun."
The original intent of the 2A was exactly that reason. Although I agree that there is little chance of overthrowing the government given their existing hardware.
"Fun?
This one I think I could understand more than the others.
If all you want is the fun of firing a bunch of rounds at a target (assuming it's a non-human target), what's wrong with checking one out at a well regulated facility where these things can be secured against those that would get access to them and wreak havoc?"
Yes, it is fun. Until you have gone out and shot a box of clay pigeons or several packs of targets you really won't understand the fun of it. If you'd ever like to go and see what fun it is, you, or anyone else, are welcome to come with us sometime.
Having the weapons stored at some facility is a bad idea. First off the criminals are not going to store their guns there. Second, you are then at the mercy of someone else when you want to "get" your gun. Would the place be staffed and open 24x7x365? That is just a bad deal all the way around.
"Lastly, would it be unreasonable if we limited the public's right to keep and bear arms to those arms that were available when the second amendment was written?"
Yes, that would be unreasonable. Technology has advanced in all aspects of our life. We would do much better to address the real problem of keeping weapons out of the hands of the wrong people.
Posted on January 17, 2013 - 01:06 AM
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