Have Assault Rifle, Will Travel

Since you asked, let me offer some information you may find helpful in your understanding of the issue at hand. While you asked about Assault Rifles, you are most likely inquiring about so called “Assault Weapons,” which are different things (the former, by definition are automatic weapons, while the latter are semiautomatic only versions).

While you asked why people need them, the question is really why would someone want an “Assault Weapon?” Your assumption that you can’t hunt with an “Assault Weapon” is incorrect, they are used for hunting. They are also very popular in formal and informal marksmanship competitions held around the country, including in NC. And, they can be used for self defense.

Despite the insinuation by the New York Times, the reason people are buying “Assault Weapons” in large numbers probably has less to do with the comment in San Francisco, and more due to the stated desire of Barack Obama and Joe Biden to ban the future sale of “Assault Weapons.”

Here is a quote from the official campaign website:

http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/urban_policy/#crime-and-law-enforcement

“They [Obama and Biden] also support making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent, as such weapons belong on foreign battlefields and not on our streets.”

Based on this, it would seem prudent for those interested in owning “Assault Weapons” to have spares, in case those they already own wear out, get destroyed in a natural disaster, etc..

I’m with dmin on this. We use AR-15s here in Texas for shooting coyotes and wild hogs. We use them for service rifle competition too, of course. And yes, they can be used for self defense.

The use of the word “assault weapon” is a ploy to make semi-automatic rifles and carbines sound evil and dangerous. This class of firearm has been readily available to the public for 60+ years now. They have generally been used responsibly. Then, in the 1990s, some anti-gun organizations dubbed them “assault weapons”, and the panic began. It’s downright Orwellian.

And yes. . . The current wave of panic buying is all about a possible return of the 1994-2004 AWB law (AKA Clinton Gun Ban). Many of us remember it clearly and want to be better prepared to weather a new one.

Well, speaking as an “assault rifle” owner, I will try and take you questions one at a time.

Why would I stock up? Because I want to. *shrugs* On a more specific note, becuase I do not currently own an AR-15 pattern firearm, am interested in owning one at some point, and understand that the President-Elect is already planning on banning them (among others). As such, I should buy it now, if I want it in the next four+ years. Additionally, banned items increase in value. During the past “ban on firearms that look evil”, AR-15 lowers (the part the ATF defines as a “firearm”) went for many times their pre-ban value. The same happened to normal-capacity magazines, and other banned items.

What does one do with an assault rifle? I take my current one to the range and perforate paper, pumpkins, and steel plates. The AR-15 I am building will be loaded with frangible ammunition (to reduce/prevent overpenetration) and used as a home-defense platform.

To correct a misconception, you can hunt with semiautomatic firearms – http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1825163/posts and http://hunting.suite101.com/article.cfm/hunting_with_ar15_type_rifles , for example.

Why should I “need” something I own? I do not “need” four computers, and yet they are humming away at the moment. I do not “need” an X-Box, yet its ancient black carcass is currently resting atop my TiVo. My family does not “need” two vehicles, yet they are out in the parking lot. Why should “need” factor into any possession? Do you “need” everything you own?

As for the “hysteria”, the problem is that his very own webpage indicates he intends on re-instating the “ban on firearms that look evil”, and making it permanent this time (see: http://www.wallsofthecity.net/2008/11/true_colors.html ). As for why the buying is happening now, as opposed to later, the President-Elect already has a shopping list of executive orders he intends on executing upon attaining office… why would a firearm ban not be one of them? And once the ban is in place, it becomes rather difficult to buy things, so we buy them now.

Finally, speaking personally, I purchased my new evil black rifle as an “up yours” to anyone who would try to take it away from me. For that matter, I purchased my old evil black rifle as an “up yours” to California – they banned AR-15 pattern rifles, so I purchased an M1A pattern that shoots larger bullets, faster and farther. Were these actions childish of me? Possibly. But I have enjoyed my M1A ever since, and I am thoroughly enjoying finding, buying, and assembling the various bits and pieces necessary to take my bare AR-15 receiver up to a full rifle.

In reality, you are asking the wrong questions. The previous “assault weapon” ban was a joke (see: http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/04/09/23/worden.htm ), and “assault weapons” are used in less than 1% of all gun crimes (see: http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/05/22/fact-criminals-use-assault-weapons-in-less-than-1-of-all-gun-crimes/ ). Why is the Obama administration not doing something proactive and actually useful, like strengthening punishments for using firearms in crimes, imposing mandatory sentencing structures for firearm-assisted crimes, and prosecuting for the laws already on the books? Why are they fixated on passing a pointless law that did not really accomplish anything last time, and only serves to abridge (no matter how small, it is still an abridgement) citizens’ rights, inconvenience law-abiding citizens, and exert more governmental control over those citizens?

Why? Because, as with all “gun control”, it is never about the gun – it is about the control.

the people buying guns are afraid of a afro-american president. gun ownership has its history in racism. white people needed guns to keep afros in check. now with an afro president, whites are scared. they still want to continue the culture of oppressing afros. we need to get guns off our streets. look what is happening in india. that could happen here.

The real reason every citizen should own bona fide assault rifles and handguns is simple. The 2nd ammendment intent was never about our hunting rights or our sporting arms rights. The 2nd amendment was a safety valve that provided the citizen with the ability to defend themselves as necessary, to revolt if they saw fit, against a government gone awry( not unlike the one we are currenty subject to). It is rare in any civilization that the people lose their minds, it is always the politicos or those with political aspirations whose agenda is not to the good of the people but serves their own selfish ambitions. That includes the cleverly disguised socialist movements the on surface are all about the people. Only the truly ignorant cannot see that only the elite thrive and prosper under socialism and communism, while chasm between the elite and the working man grows and the middle class ceases to exist. Ask the dozens of European countries, ask the Cubans, the list is endless of those divested of their rights and assets, and first by taking their ability to defend.
Every American should own and know how to use a weapon.

If it weren’t so serious it would be hilarious to hear gun owners with a few measley rifles talk about defending themselves against a government whose army has atrillery, flamethrowers, bazookas, fighter planes, bombers, and even nuclear weapons. Can you guys really be serious about this?