Wesley w/Glock
02-26-2004, 03:30 PM
I obtained a newsletter from Congresswoman McCarthy dated Feb 25 in which she rants about the evils of "assault weapons" (whatever that is).
I maintain that AWB is not dead. Antis are perfectly willing to glide along the slippery slope but are not accustomed to back-pedeling.
Here is some of the text:
Federal Assault Weapons Ban
As this year progresses, we grow ever closer to the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban. In 1994, Congress banned for ten years the possession, transfer, or further domestic manufacturing of semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition feeding devices (detachable magazines that hold more than 10 rounds) that were not legally owned or available prior to September 13, 1994. Even before the Assault Weapons Ban took effect, the Reagan and Bush Administrations halted the importation of some of these firearms under the 1968 Gun Control Act. The Clinton Administration halted the importation of additional firearms, which were not technically semiautomatic assault weapons, but had been modified to circumvent the rules of the Assault weapons Ban. This important piece of legislation is set to expire on September 13, 2004 unless Congress acts to reauthorize the ban this year.
Many firearm manufacturers have tried to circumvent the laws by modifying the design of firearms classified as semiautomatic assault weapons so they no longer meet the definition of a banned assault weapon but are still able to produce a very powerful weapon. As a result, it is likely some proposals to extend or make permanent the ban, that must be considered this year, may also include provisions to expand the list of those weapons banned to include those weapons which have been modified or new models manufactured after 1994. Congress must adopt new definitions of assault weapons just as gun manufacturers have adopted ways to bypass current law.
Assault weapons were 20 times more likely to be used in a crime than a conventional firearm
Americans will pay a terrible price if Congress and President Bush fail to renew and strengthen the ban on assault weapons. The deadly toll caused by semiautomatic weapons reached its peak in the early 1990’s before the federal ban was enacted. It was during this period when America heard almost daily of another gang shoot-out or drive-by shooting. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), assault weapons were 20 times more likely to be used in a crime than a conventional firearm.
Assault weapons use in crimes declined by 20% following enactment of the federal ban
Criminals choose assault weapons because of their rapid fire and easy concealment, a combination which has proven deadly to police time and time again. Before the federal Assault Weapons Ban, police where simply outgunned by criminals with assault weapons that could spray dozens of bullets in seconds. In response to the high number of police deaths by assault weapons, every major law enforcement agency in the country supported the federal ban. In 1999, the National Institute of Justice reported that assault weapons use in crimes declined by 20% following enactment of the federal ban. Now with the Assault Weapons Ban about to expire, our police and communities will again be at risk unless Congress acts soon.
I have heard the argument many times that assault weapons should not be banned because they are used for sport. This could not be further from the truth. Assault weapons are designed for combat, not sport. Unlike sporting firearms, assault weapons are meant to be spray-fired from the hip and allow the shooter to maintain perfect control even while rapidly firing dozens of rounds. According to a BATF study conducted under the current Administration, sportsmen DO NOT use assault weapons. In fact, the BATF concluded assault weapons are never suitable for sport and should be restricted.
Considering the high cost our nation pays, both socially and economically because of gun violence, and the success of the 1994 ban, the only logical step is for Congress to reauthorize the Assault Weapons Ban permanently. Firearms are the second leading cause of death for people under 19 in the US today. By allowing these military style assault weapons back on the streets, we are putting our nation’s youth at enormous risk, a fact I cannot live with. Gun violence costs our nation over $100 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. Unfortunately, many victims are uninsured, forcing the American public to pay the high medical bills. Keeping assault weapons off the streets means lives and dollars will be saved across the country.
The only logical step is for Congress to reauthorize the Assault Weapons Ban permanently
With the Federal Assault Weapons Ban set to expire on September 13, 2004, the safety and security of our nation’s streets is in jeopardy. The President has stated publicly that he would support a measure to make the Assault Weapons Ban permanent. Mr. President, now is the time to act! I have introduced legislation (HR 2038) to not only make permanent the current ban on assault weapons, but also expand the list of banned weapons to keep up with gun manufacturers technology.
We are at a serious point in our nation’s history. The lives of our civilians and police will be at a serious risk if Congress does not act now. We must work together to keep these dangerous weapons off of our streets and out of our schools.
Sincerely,
Carolyn McCarthy
I especially liked the part where crooks shoot "assault weapons" at the hip as if that would some sort of advantage. The article clearly suggests full-auto action.
I hunted around on the web for a hyperlink for this stuff but it appears that this hate speech is only spewed in this newsletter. If anyone wants a copy PM me and I will forward it.
I maintain that AWB is not dead. Antis are perfectly willing to glide along the slippery slope but are not accustomed to back-pedeling.
Here is some of the text:
Federal Assault Weapons Ban
As this year progresses, we grow ever closer to the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban. In 1994, Congress banned for ten years the possession, transfer, or further domestic manufacturing of semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition feeding devices (detachable magazines that hold more than 10 rounds) that were not legally owned or available prior to September 13, 1994. Even before the Assault Weapons Ban took effect, the Reagan and Bush Administrations halted the importation of some of these firearms under the 1968 Gun Control Act. The Clinton Administration halted the importation of additional firearms, which were not technically semiautomatic assault weapons, but had been modified to circumvent the rules of the Assault weapons Ban. This important piece of legislation is set to expire on September 13, 2004 unless Congress acts to reauthorize the ban this year.
Many firearm manufacturers have tried to circumvent the laws by modifying the design of firearms classified as semiautomatic assault weapons so they no longer meet the definition of a banned assault weapon but are still able to produce a very powerful weapon. As a result, it is likely some proposals to extend or make permanent the ban, that must be considered this year, may also include provisions to expand the list of those weapons banned to include those weapons which have been modified or new models manufactured after 1994. Congress must adopt new definitions of assault weapons just as gun manufacturers have adopted ways to bypass current law.
Assault weapons were 20 times more likely to be used in a crime than a conventional firearm
Americans will pay a terrible price if Congress and President Bush fail to renew and strengthen the ban on assault weapons. The deadly toll caused by semiautomatic weapons reached its peak in the early 1990’s before the federal ban was enacted. It was during this period when America heard almost daily of another gang shoot-out or drive-by shooting. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), assault weapons were 20 times more likely to be used in a crime than a conventional firearm.
Assault weapons use in crimes declined by 20% following enactment of the federal ban
Criminals choose assault weapons because of their rapid fire and easy concealment, a combination which has proven deadly to police time and time again. Before the federal Assault Weapons Ban, police where simply outgunned by criminals with assault weapons that could spray dozens of bullets in seconds. In response to the high number of police deaths by assault weapons, every major law enforcement agency in the country supported the federal ban. In 1999, the National Institute of Justice reported that assault weapons use in crimes declined by 20% following enactment of the federal ban. Now with the Assault Weapons Ban about to expire, our police and communities will again be at risk unless Congress acts soon.
I have heard the argument many times that assault weapons should not be banned because they are used for sport. This could not be further from the truth. Assault weapons are designed for combat, not sport. Unlike sporting firearms, assault weapons are meant to be spray-fired from the hip and allow the shooter to maintain perfect control even while rapidly firing dozens of rounds. According to a BATF study conducted under the current Administration, sportsmen DO NOT use assault weapons. In fact, the BATF concluded assault weapons are never suitable for sport and should be restricted.
Considering the high cost our nation pays, both socially and economically because of gun violence, and the success of the 1994 ban, the only logical step is for Congress to reauthorize the Assault Weapons Ban permanently. Firearms are the second leading cause of death for people under 19 in the US today. By allowing these military style assault weapons back on the streets, we are putting our nation’s youth at enormous risk, a fact I cannot live with. Gun violence costs our nation over $100 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. Unfortunately, many victims are uninsured, forcing the American public to pay the high medical bills. Keeping assault weapons off the streets means lives and dollars will be saved across the country.
The only logical step is for Congress to reauthorize the Assault Weapons Ban permanently
With the Federal Assault Weapons Ban set to expire on September 13, 2004, the safety and security of our nation’s streets is in jeopardy. The President has stated publicly that he would support a measure to make the Assault Weapons Ban permanent. Mr. President, now is the time to act! I have introduced legislation (HR 2038) to not only make permanent the current ban on assault weapons, but also expand the list of banned weapons to keep up with gun manufacturers technology.
We are at a serious point in our nation’s history. The lives of our civilians and police will be at a serious risk if Congress does not act now. We must work together to keep these dangerous weapons off of our streets and out of our schools.
Sincerely,
Carolyn McCarthy
I especially liked the part where crooks shoot "assault weapons" at the hip as if that would some sort of advantage. The article clearly suggests full-auto action.
I hunted around on the web for a hyperlink for this stuff but it appears that this hate speech is only spewed in this newsletter. If anyone wants a copy PM me and I will forward it.