The Socialist Republik of New Jersey strikes again...So the flippin' Liberals don't what your hunting and target guns....Right!

It must be the rash of drive-by muzzleloader shooting I've bee hearing about!
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NJ: Partial List of Banned Firearms Under A2116
June 12, 2008 by gunservatively



From an email alert by Anthony P. Mauro, Sr. Chairman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, a partial list of the .50-caliber firearms that would be banned in New Jersey under bill A2116:

Traditional Muzzleloaders Banned by A2116

A2116 bans all traditional muzzle loading rifles with synthetic stocks or fiber optic sights, the most common, popular, and safe traditional muzzle loaders currently used for hunting by New Jersey sportsmen. A partial list of popular muzzle loaders that would be banned by A2116 follows:

Buckskinner flintlock Carbine (.50)
CVA Greywolf percussion (.50)
CVA Greywolf flintlock (.50)
CVA Lynx percussion (camo) (.50)
CVA Lynx percussion (camo) (.54)
CVA Bobcat Hunter percussion (.50)
CVA Bobcat Hunter percussion (.54)
CVA Lone Wolf percussion (.50)
CVA Timber Wolf percussion (.50)
CVA Silver Wolf percussion (.50)
CVA Silver Wolf percussion (.54)
Deer Hunter percussion (blue) (.50)
Deer Hunter flintlock (blue) (.50)
Deer Hunter percussion (camo) (.50)
Deer Hunter flintlock (blue) (.50)
Pursuit XLT flintlock (camo) (.50)
Pursuit XLT flintlock (blue) (.50)
Pursuit XLT flintlock (nickel) (.50)
Stone Mountain Silver Eagle percussion carbine (.50)
Stone Mountain Silver Eagle percussion (.50)
Thompson Center Black Mountain Magnum percussion (.50)
Thompson Center Black Mountain Magnum percussion (.54)
Thompson Center Firestorm percussion (.50)
Thompson Center Firestorm flintlock (.50)
Thompson Center Firestorm percussion (.54)
Thompson Center Firestorm flintlock (.54)
Thompson Center Greyhawk (.50)
Thompson Center Greyhawk (.54)
Thompson Center New England percussion (.50)
Thompson Center New England flintlock .50
Thompson Center New England percussion (.54)
Thompson Center New England flintlock (.54)
Thompson Center Tree Hawk percussion (.50)
Traditions Deer Hunter flintlock (.50)
Traditions Deer Hunter percussion (.50)
Traditions Pellet flintlock (.50)
Traditions PA Pellet flintlock (nickel) (.50)
Traditions PA Pellet flintlock (blue) (.50)
Traditions Panther percussion (.50)
Traditions Panther percussion (.54)

A2116 may also ban hundreds of other traditional muzzle loaders whose sights are not actually made of iron, or which contain a scope in lieu of iron or peep sights.

Because A2116 redefines many hunting firearms as "destructive devices," the legislation prevents the heirs of those who currently own these firearms from inheriting them as family heirlooms.

Modern Guns Banned by A2116

In addition to banning many traditional muzzle loading rifles, historical firearms, and the .50 BMG, A2116 would ban many modern firearms, including the following partial list:

Examples of Banned Modern Hunting Rifles Under A2116

.50 Alaskan
.50 Peacekeeper
.500 Jeffrey
.50 Nitro
.500 Nitro Express
.600 Nitro Express
.550 Nitro Express
.577 Nitro Express
.700 Nitro Express
.500 50 Express
.510 Fat Mac
.6-577 Rewa
.50 Beowolf
.500 Black Powder Express
.500 A-Square
.505 Gibbs
.500-465 Express
.510 Whisper
.505 Nyati
.577 T-Rex
.510 DTC
.550 Magnum
.50 Airgun
.600 Overkill
12.7 x 99mm
14.5mm JDJ
12.7 x 108 mm
15.2 Steyr
14.5 x 114mm

Examples of Banned Modern Hunting & Target Handguns under A2116

.50 Remington Single Shot RF
.50 Remington Single Shot CF
AMT Auto Mag
Bowen Classic Arms .500 Linebaugh Revolver
Guncrafter Industries M1
Freedom Arms Model 555
LAR Grizzly Win Mag
Magnum Research Desert Eagle
Magnum Research BFR Revolver
Smith & Wesson 500 Revolver
Smith & Wesson 500 Special Revolver
Tanfoglio Thor-Raptor Single Shot
Taurus Raging Bull 500 Revolver
Thompson Center Encore .50 Single Shot
Webley Boxer Revolver
Zeliska .600 Nitro Express revolver

Historical Firearms, Antiques and Replicas Banned by A2116

A2116 bans hundreds of historical firearms, antiques and replicas. Though proponents of A2116 claim that the legislation targets only the .50 bmg rifle, this legislation is in reality a sweeping gun ban that would criminalize the possession, transfer, and inheritance of dozens of firearms other than the .50 bmg and the hunting guns mentioned above, including many collectible Revolutionary War through post-Civil War era firearms and replicas and antiques that are not even remotely similar to the .50 bmg.

Following is a partial list of collectible historical firearms, antiques and replicas that would be banned by A2116. It is ironic that many of these firearms were used by early American patriots to win the very freedoms that A2116 seeks to take away:

1842 Springfield (.69)
1868 U.S. Springfield (.50/70)
Allen Conversion (.50/70)
Ballard Rifle (.50/70)
Brown Bess Musket (.75)
Brown Bess Trade Model (.75)
British Officer's Light Infantry Fusil (.67)
Bullard Single Shot (.50)
Cadet 1869 (50-70)
Charleyville Pistol (.69)
Charleyville 1777 French Rifle (.69)
Charleyville 1766 Musket (.69)
CVA Blunderbuss (.69)
Colt Laidley (.50)
Colt Lightning (.50/95)
English Matchlock (.72)
Evans Musket (.69)
Gun Works English Sporting Rifle (.62)
Gun Works English Sporting Rifle (.69)
Harper's Ferry Musket (.69)
Joslyn 50-60
Kodiak Express Double Rifle (.72)
Marlin Carbine (.56/56)
Martini Henry (.577)
Maynard .50-70
Maynard Carbine (.50)
Merrill Latrobe (.50/70)
Middlesex Village Long Land
Middlesex Village Ship's Carbine flintlock (.75)
Middlesex Village 1717 French Army Musket flintlock (.69)
Middlesex Village Cookson Fouling Piece (.70)
Middlesex Village Doglock blunderbuss (.69)
Middlesex Village Scottish Murdoch Pistol (.52)
Middlesex Village 1773 French Cavalry Pistol (.69)
Navy Arms British Dragoon Pistol (.614)
October Country Muzzle Loading Light American Sporting Rifle (.62)
October Country Muzzle Loading Eight Bore Double Heavy Rifle (.85)
October Country Muzzle Loading Heavy Rifle (.85)
October Country Muzzle Loading Heavy Rifle (1.00)
Pacific Rifle Company African Zephyr Twelve Bore (.72)
Pacific Rifle Company African Zephyr Twelve Bore (.83)
Pedersoli 1777 Corrige Anno IX Musket (.69)
Pedersoli 1777 Corrige Anno IX Dragoon Musket (.69)
Pedersoli 1789 Austrian Infantry Musket (.69)
Pedersoli 1809 Prussian (.75)
Pedersoli 1816 Harper's Ferry (.60)
Pedersoli 1848 Springfield (.69)
Pedersoli Fredericksburg Musket (.75)
Pedersoli Kodiak Express SxS Double Rifle (.72)
Perry Brass Frame Carbine (.50)
Ranger Carbine flintlock (.75)
Remington Rolling Block Rifle (.50)
Remington Rolling Block Carbine (.50)
Remington .50-45
Remington .50 Rimfire
Remington .50 Center Fire
Remington 50-70
Remington Hepburn .50-45
Roberts (.58)
Robertson Carbine (.52)
Sharps 1853 (.52)
Sharps 1855 (.52)
Sharps 1855 (.577)
Sharps 1859 (.50/70)
Sharps 1859 (.52/70)
Sharps 1863 (.50/70)
Sharps 1863 (.52/70)
Sharps 1865 (.52)
Sharps 1867 (.50/70)
Sharps 1867 (.52/70)
Sharps 1870 (.50-70)
Sharps 1874 (.50)
Sharps 51-40
Sharps Hankins 1861 (.52)
Snider Carbine (.577)
Spencer Rifle (.50)
Spencer Rifle (.52)
Spencer Rifle (.56)
Spencer Carbine (.50)
Spencer Carbine (.52)
Spencer Carbine (.56)
Tarpley Carbine (.52)
U.S. 1816 Musket (.69)
Whitney (.50/95)
Whitney-Laidley (.50)
Whitney Musket (.69)
Whitney Phoenix (.50)
Winchester Single Shot (.50)
Winchester Hi-wall (.50)
Winchester 1876 (.50-95)
Winchester 1886 (.50 express)

Posted in .50-Caliber Firearms, Gun Laws, New Jersey

I guess this means you won't consider relocating to New Jersey.....Better hope those " liberal Jersey gun laws" don't work their way to Missouri....
Btw, what guns are allowed in NJ? That's a really long list...and only a partial one, too.....

To give you an idea, amy...You have to register a BB gun in NJ.

Our forefathers would weep to know that the rifles that help win our independence, are banned by their heirs.

Maybe some of them are automatic assault flintlocks.

Registering BB guns seems a bit much.......maybe it's an attempt to dispel arguments over which "guns" should be registered....seems silly, though.

Are any water pistols exempted?

stay tuned!!

We wouldn't want weapons in the hands of the NJ citizens. It gets in the way of the crime and government corruption.

They can own weapons....just not the ones listed....yes?

Yes...This list restricts 50 caliber category weapons. I wouldn't have a problem if the stuck with modern weaponry, but attacking antique and historic weapons is ignorant. It shows the mentality of liberals.

Conservatives aren't any better, just different issues. Any ism is fatally flawed.

In this case Tom, it's totally on the Libs. This is their hallmark.

What chance do you think this New Jersey measures really has? After the Supreme Court's overturning of the gun ban in Washington D. C., I don't think it has a prayer of sticking.

I don't understand the restrictions on antique weapons...if an owner wants to pass it on to children (or anyone) it would be illegal to do that? So, what happens to the antiques once an owner dies? What am I missing here.....

My understanding is that it has already passed, but I'm not positive about this!

It is a ban amy, that isn't thought through. They made a sweeping statement of the .50 caliber, and all of these guns are swept up. Guns that can't be passed on must be disposed of. Dealers could buy them and move them out of state.

OK..it looks like it may have been amended (bolded)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ASSEMBLY, No. 2116


STATE OF NEW JERSEY

213th LEGISLATURE



INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 25, 2008







Sponsored by:

Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA

District 15 (Mercer)









SYNOPSIS

Revises definition of destructive device to include weapons of 50 caliber or greater.



CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.





An Act concerning destructive devices, amending N.J.S.2C:39-1 and supplementing chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.



Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:



1. N.J.S.2C:39-1 is amended to read as follows:

2C:39-1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter and to chapter 58:

a. "Antique firearm" means any rifle or shotgun and "antique cannon" means a destructive device defined in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section, if the rifle, shotgun or destructive device, as the case may be, is incapable of being fired or discharged, or which does not fire fixed ammunition, regardless of date of manufacture, or was manufactured before 1898 for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available, and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for its historical significance or value.

b. "Deface" means to remove, deface, cover, alter or destroy the name of the maker, model designation, manufacturer's serial number or any other distinguishing identification mark or number on any firearm.

c. "Destructive device" means any device, instrument or object designed to explode or produce uncontrolled combustion, including (1) any explosive or incendiary bomb, mine or grenade; (2) any rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces or any missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter of an ounce; (3) any weapon capable of firing a projectile of a caliber of 50 caliber or greater [than 60 caliber] or, in the case of an antique firearm, antique handgun, traditional muzzleloader rifle, or black powder muzzleloader having in-line ignition, a center hammer or an under hammer which have been approved for hunting in this State of a caliber greater than 60 caliber, except a shotgun or shotgun ammunition generally recognized as suitable for sporting purposes; (4) any Molotov cocktail or other device consisting of a breakable container containing flammable liquid and having a wick or similar device capable of being ignited. The term does not include any device manufactured for the purpose of illumination, distress signaling, line-throwing, safety or similar purposes.

d. "Dispose of" means to give, give away, lease, loan, keep for sale, offer, offer for sale, sell, transfer, or otherwise transfer possession.



e. "Explosive" means any chemical compound or mixture that is commonly used or is possessed for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustible materials or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion or by detonation of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects. The term shall not include small arms ammunition, or explosives in the form prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia.

f. "Firearm" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, automatic or semi-automatic rifle, or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectable ball, slug, pellet, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.

g. "Firearm silencer" means any instrument, attachment, weapon or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm to be silent, or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm.

h. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force.

i. "Machine gun" means any firearm, mechanism or instrument not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot and having a reservoir, belt or other means of storing and carrying ammunition which can be loaded into the firearm, mechanism or instrument and fired therefrom.

j. "Manufacturer" means any person who receives or obtains raw materials or parts and processes them into firearms or finished parts of firearms, except a person who exclusively processes grips, stocks and other nonmetal parts of firearms. The term does not include a person who repairs existing firearms or receives new and used raw materials or parts solely for the repair of existing firearms.

k. "Handgun" means any pistol, revolver or other firearm originally designed or manufactured to be fired by the use of a single hand.

l. "Retail dealer" means any person including a gunsmith, except a manufacturer or a wholesale dealer, who sells, transfers or assigns for a fee or profit any firearm or parts of firearms or ammunition which he has purchased or obtained with the intention, or for the purpose, of reselling or reassigning to persons who are reasonably understood to be the ultimate consumers, and includes any person who is engaged in the business of repairing firearms or who sells any firearm to satisfy a debt secured by the pledge of a firearm.

m. "Rifle" means any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and using the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger.

n. "Shotgun" means any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and using the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shots or a single projectile for each pull of the trigger, or any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder which does not fire fixed ammunition.

o. "Sawed-off shotgun" means any shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or any firearm made from a rifle or a shotgun, whether by alteration, or otherwise, if such firearm as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

p. "Switchblade knife" means any knife or similar device which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife.

q. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of the State Police.

r. "Weapon" means anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury. The term includes, but is not limited to, all (1) firearms, even though not loaded or lacking a clip or other component to render them immediately operable; (2) components which can be readily assembled into a weapon; (3) gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, or other dangerous knives, billies, blackjacks, bludgeons, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti or similar leather bands studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood; and (4) stun guns; and any weapon or other device which projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

s. "Wholesale dealer" means any person, except a manufacturer, who sells, transfers, or assigns firearms, or parts of firearms, to persons who are reasonably understood not to be the ultimate consumers, and includes persons who receive finished parts of firearms and assemble them into completed or partially completed firearms, in furtherance of such purpose, except that it shall not include those persons dealing exclusively in grips, stocks and other nonmetal parts of firearms.

t. "Stun gun" means any weapon or other device which emits an electrical charge or current intended to temporarily or permanently disable a person.

u. "Ballistic knife" means any weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can propel a knife blade.

v. "Imitation firearm" means an object or device reasonably capable of being mistaken for a firearm.

w. "Assault firearm" means:

(1) The following firearms:

Algimec AGM1 type

Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder such as the "Street Sweeper" or "Striker 12"

Armalite AR-180 type

Australian Automatic Arms SAR

Avtomat Kalashnikov type semi-automatic firearms

Beretta AR-70 and BM59 semi-automatic firearms

Bushmaster Assault Rifle

Calico M-900 Assault carbine and M-900

CETME G3

Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88 type

Colt AR-15 and CAR-15 series

Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1 and Max 2, AR 100 types

Demro TAC-1 carbine type

Encom MP-9 and MP-45 carbine types

FAMAS MAS223 types

FN-FAL, FN-LAR, or FN-FNC type semi-automatic firearms

Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12 shotguns

G3SA type

Galil type Heckler and Koch HK91, HK93, HK94, MP5, PSG-1

Intratec TEC 9 and 22 semi-automatic firearms

M1 carbine type

M14S type

MAC 10, MAC 11, MAC 11-9mm carbine type firearms

PJK M-68 carbine type

Plainfield Machine Company Carbine

Ruger K-Mini-14/5F and Mini-14/5RF

SIG AMT, SIG 550SP, SIG 551SP, SIG PE-57 types

SKS with detachable magazine type

Spectre Auto carbine type

Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48 type

Sterling MK-6, MK-7 and SAR types

Steyr A.U.G. semi-automatic firearms

USAS 12 semi-automatic type shotgun

Uzi type semi-automatic firearms

Valmet M62, M71S, M76, or M78 type semi-automatic firearms

Weaver Arm Nighthawk.

(2) Any firearm manufactured under any designation which is substantially identical to any of the firearms listed above.

(3) A semi-automatic shotgun with either a magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, a pistol grip, or a folding stock.

(4) A semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 15 rounds.

(5) A part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault firearm, or any combination of parts from which an assault firearm may be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

x. "Semi-automatic" means a firearm which fires a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger and is self-reloading or automatically chambers a round, cartridge, or bullet.

y. "Large capacity ammunition magazine" means a box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm.

z. "Pistol grip" means a well-defined handle, similar to that found on a handgun, that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, and which permits the shotgun to be held and fired with one hand.

aa. "Antique handgun" means a handgun manufactured before 1898, or a replica thereof, which is recognized as being historical in nature or of historical significance and either (1) utilizes a match, friction, flint, or percussion ignition, or which utilizes a pin-fire cartridge in which the pin is part of the cartridge or (2) does not fire fixed ammunition or for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available.

bb. "Trigger lock" means a commercially available device approved by the Superintendent of State Police which is operated with a key or combination lock that prevents a firearm from being discharged while the device is attached to the firearm. It may include, but need not be limited to, devices that obstruct the barrel or cylinder of the firearm, as well as devices that immobilize the trigger.

cc. "Trigger locking device" means a device that, if installed on a firearm and secured by means of a key or mechanically, electronically or electromechanically operated combination lock, prevents the firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or removing the device by means of a key or mechanically, electronically or electromechanically operated combination lock.

dd. "Personalized handgun" means a handgun which incorporates within its design, and as part of its original manufacture, technology which automatically limits its operational use and which cannot be readily deactivated, so that it may only be fired by an authorized or recognized user. The technology limiting the handgun's operational use may include, but not be limited to: radio frequency tagging, touch memory, remote control, fingerprint, magnetic encoding and other automatic user identification systems utilizing biometric, mechanical or electronic systems. No make or model of a handgun shall be deemed to be a "personalized handgun" unless the Attorney General has determined, through testing or other reasonable means, that the handgun meets any reliability standards that the manufacturer may require for its commercially available handguns that are not personalized or, if the manufacturer has no such reliability standards, the handgun meets the reliability standards generally used in the industry for commercially available handguns.

ee. "Traditional muzzleloader rifle" means a single shot, single barrel, side lock percussion or flintlock firearm with iron or peep sights and a wooden stock.

(cf: P.L.2002, c.130, s.5)



2. (New section) The provisions of paragraph (3) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 shall not apply to any person who lawfully possessed a firearm of a caliber of 50 caliber or greater on or before the effective date of this act.



3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the second month following enactment.





STATEMENT



This bill amends N.J.S.2C:39-1 to revise the definition of "destructive device" so that it includes weapons of 50 caliber or greater.

Although it centers primarily on devices or instruments designed to explode or produce uncontrolled combustion, the current statutory definition of "destructive device" also includes weapons which fire projectiles of greater than 60 caliber.

Under the bill, it would be unlawful to possess a firearm having a caliber of 50 caliber or greater. A person violating this provision would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for three to five years, or both.

The bill does, however, provide exemptions for 1) antique firearms; 2) antique handguns; 3) traditional muzzleloader rifles; and 4) black powder muzzleloaders having in-line ignition, a center hammer or an under hammer which have been approved for hunting in this State. These firearms would continue to be governed by the statute's current "greater than 60 caliber" restriction. Antique firearms and handguns are defined in the statutes as firearms which:

(1) do not fire fixed ammunition or were manufactured before 1898 and for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available; and

(2) are possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for their historical significance or value. The statutory definition of antique handgun includes "replicas."

The bill defines a traditional muzzleloader rifle to mean a single shot, single barrel, side lock percussion or flintlock firearm with iron or peep sights and a wooden stock.

Finally, the bill affords an exemption to persons who lawfully possessed a firearm of a caliber of 50 caliber or greater on or before the effective date of the bill. This "grandfather" provision will permit those persons to continue to possess lawfully their large caliber firearms.

Okay...so the issue that was a thorn in your side was resolved.....obviously many others felt as you do.....therefore the revisions....so maybe not quite so stupid, these "liberals".....

Can anyone think of a sound reason why a state would not make it mandatory to report a stolen or lost handgun?

Just one problem, amy...No one has ever been murdered by a 50 caliber weapon! Why would you fabricate a solution to a non-existent problem?
When they passed the Assault Weapons Ban, less than 2% of all gun crime was committed with them. Guess what the statistics were when the ban ended? You guessed it...The ban had zero effect on gun crime. Another law that was the solution to a non-existent problem.

Most law-abiding gun owners do report.

If you find a list of dealers who are moving .50 cal rifles of Wembly Class out of Jersy for sale...
at good prices...give me a shout. I want one. Great for barracaded, medium to long range assailants.
Cover? What cover? There's a former Marine sniper at the end of our street who's quite familiar.

Firearms and vehicles are the most reported stolen items and those best tracked with serial/VIN numbers.

Well, I'm still in the beginning stages of sorting out gun issues. I'm trying to understand exactly what was banned in the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, why they were banned and if the banning of these weapons really does anything concrete to cut down on law enforcement officer and civilian casualties.

After viewing a video explaining the differences between a 'true" assault weapon and weapons that are erroneously tagged as "assault weapons, I do have a clearer understanding of that issue.
The video:
http://nssf.typepad.com/blog/2008/10/excel...lt-weapons.html

After viewing the video, my understanding is that true assault weapons (automatics) can only be purchased by the military or law enforcement agencies.
Semi-automatic weapons can not be easily converted to automatic weapons.

Then I found info on the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_Weapons_Ban

An excerpt:
Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Folding stock
Conspicuous pistol grip
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
Grenade launcher (more precisely, a muzzle device which enables the launching or firing of rifle grenades)
Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip
Threaded barrel to attach barrel extender, flash suppressor, handgrip, or silencer
Barrel shroud that can be used as a hand-hold
Unloaded weight of 50 oz (1.4 kg) or more
A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm
Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following:
Folding or telescoping stock
Pistol grip
Fixed capacity of more than 5 rounds
Detachable magazine

If the ban on these type weapons has not led to a decrease in casualties for law enforcement officers and civilians then maybe it's an exercise in futility. I do strongly believe bans on certain weapons is an honest attempt to address the problems with gun violence in the U.S. But, if these bans are not accomplishing the goal, then maybe it would be better to concentrate on other areas that relate to gun violence.

I also strongly believe that the media, politicians and the public should have: one working definition of "assault weapons", a better understanding of why certain features on weapons were/are/might be banned, and the results of these bans (reduction, or not, in violence).


I'm of two minds about restrictions on gun ownership.
Since the vast majority of gun owners are not criminals, I don't like seeing their ability to purchase weapons severely restricted.
On the other hand, I think maybe all weapons should be banned other than hunting and sporting weapons. No hand guns for any civilian making a statement that the U.S. believes in peaceful resolution of conflicts and needs to disarm its citizens to avoid impulsive, violent reactions.
Then, I think that there will always be the mentally ill and criminal minded who can use the legal weapons to harm the unarmed and I change my mind again. I think it should be legal to own appropriate handguns for protection of self and property.

Guns have never been a part of my life(other than skeet shooting) but I live in an area where hunting is a part of many peoples' lives....a "hunting culture". So, it's a topic that's "around and about" here.....gun issues are not a huge topic of conversation but people here who own guns and know a lot about guns are naturally concerned when there's talk of banning weapons they own or would like to own.

I do believe, at this point, that states, counties, cities should have the right to ban weapons if it that's how they want to address violence within their communities.

I agree as long as they don't violate the Second Amendment. Banning weapons is a violation...Banning a certain class of weapons, is not. The California AWB would be an example of a non-violation, IMO. As long as they keep it out of the Federal purview, I have no problem.

Read up on the history of gun control...it's enlightining.
The Racist Roots of Gun Control...LizMichael.com