[ffresh]

Originally Posted by Byte1

We probably should not divert from the subject of this thread, BUT a comment was made about "military style" weapons. I respect the fact that some fear what they might not fully comprehend, and "military style" or "automatic weapons" or "assault weapons" is definitely a subject that can be argued until .........the cows come home? When the Constitution was created, what constituted a "military style" or "assault weapon?" Not being a historian, I would still suggest that any weapon that could be picked up and used against the enemy, would fit the definition. Now, an interesting thought comes to mind. The second amendment was written to protect against Gov. tyranny, right? Wouldn't that mean, we should have military style weapons? Does it say anywhere in that Amendment that everyone should have a "hunting" weapon? Is the Amendment written to protect hunters, so that they may always have a hunting rifle?
I have absolutely no fear of anyone owning a military style rifle. I personally own a MILITARY rifle that was used in a war. It's an M1 semiautomatic rifle, capable of loading an 8 round (30-06) clip into the magazine. If I was to be limited to a military style weapon from the time the Constitution was written, I guess I would have to have a musket, right? Could you defend yourself from a rogue gov military force with a musket, today?
If a person is mature and sensible, a military style weapon is not dangerous. No nut case should own a firearm, sword, hunting knife or even a butter knife.
Someone correctly said that there are tens of thousands of military style weapons legally owned in this country. I am glad. The bad guys have the best weapons and our police forces can't even sustain a defensive posture with their limited armament, thanks to pacifists. I have seen city gangs with fully automatic Uzis, and MAC-11 machine pistols. Guess what? Those are illegally owned. You can own a fully automatic weapon IF you first obtain a special Federal permit, which the last time I checked about 20 years ago, cost $500.
Anyway, I apologize for diverting from the subject. I understand those that believe it is possible to get rid of all the guns in America, but that is not even realistic. Even the UK is finding out the hard way. And now the Bobbies that once used only a baton or billy to enforce laws, now carry concealed pistols.
But, I do respect those that WISH that we could live in a Utopia where guns were not needed or even existed. But, some of us live in reality and know what happens when citizens have no means of controlling or equalizing a rogue government. I have heard those that say that guns are not needed. Thank goodness not everyone agrees on that view. When the SHTF, there will be enough of us to protect the families of those that don't think that guns are necessary. Hope it never happens though.

WELL SAID!

Fred