FYI - Actually, there is NO such thing as a "Semi"-automatic firearm anymore.

[99th_Monkey]

Conversion kits are prolific on the interwebs, including
everything from commercially available "Conversion Kits",
to do-it-yourself at-home gerry-rigs, demonstrated on
YouTube. This means that most ANY weapon sold as a
"Semi" automatic, can easily be converted to FULLY-
automatic.

Check it out:

http://www.hackcanada.com/ice3/misc/ak47mod.txt

http://www.keepshooting.com/books-videos/full-auto-conversion


One of these posts was particularly interesting, regarding availability of fully
automatic firearms at "gun shows". "The reality is that semi-automatic rifles,
such as AK-47s or AR-15s, are widely available and sold at gun shows from
private sellers that do not run background checks. Further conversion kits
that make these rifles indistinguishable from machine guns are also widely
available at gun shows."
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2011/06/07/the-truth-about-gun-shows-al-qaeda-and-automati/180357



_____^_____^_____^_____^_____^_____^_____^_____^_____^_____
I share this because, sadly, in the light of the increasingly frequent number of mass
shootings in America, it is becoming crystal clear that --at the very least-- we in the
USA need to do SOMETHING to curb the proliferation of assault weapons; and this is
one of the most perplexing hurdles that we will need to clear in order to actually accomplish
such an ambitious goal -- rather than just go through a bunch of posturing pretending
we've really done something that we really haven't.

[upaloopa]

1. How about we just fucking say "guns like the

one used to kill 20 children."
Is that technical enough for you?
Not being a gun lover doesn't mean the sentiment is flawed.

[99th_Monkey]

4. Do you take me to be a "gun lover"?

if so, I refer you to my comment #3 below:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1981912

[upaloopa]

7. My apologies if I am wrong. So many

times in gun debates the gunners who know nomenclature and such use that knowledge to say an idea is wrong

[99th_Monkey]

11. I understand what you are saying

and appreciate the simplicity and no-BS tone of your
reply re: "How about we just fucking say 'guns like the
one used to kill 20 children.'"

It is a very sad day for the USA
In such times, it is very easy to misinterpret things,
so no problemo on that front.

[tblue]

2. May all guns die an early death.

All of them. Everyone who owns a gun, you'd better pray that you remain stable and that everyone who comes near your weapons does too. If it were up to me, I'd melt them all down today.

[99th_Monkey]

3. I share your loathing of firearms

for the same reasons I expect.

I worked for Rob't F. Kennedy's campaign in Oregon and California
in 1968 and literally blacked out from grief for two days after his
assassination. RFK was an avid gun control stalwart for obvious
reasons.

Need I say more?

[justanidea]

5. Converting a gun to full auto is a federal crime.

Selling conversion parts is a federal crime.

It is also not that easy to do. Despite what the interwebs may say.

[99th_Monkey]

6. I'd love to believe that. I'd probably sleep better nights.

But I remain unconvinced, given what I've seen on said interwebs.

I honestly hope with my whole heart that I am wrong wrong wrong
about this.

[hack89]

17. So find out how many crimes are committed by converted guns.

you will find your answer as you look for them.

I think the answer will please you.

[slampoet]

20. BS! I have fired a .22 rifle that went full auto because it wore out.

And it did it at random times after you got it heated up with half a clip.

I have also known how to turn several popular hunting guns full auto since I was 16 years old and the friend who taught me was 17 at the time.

[backscatter712]

8. Get caught doing this, and you're looking at 5-10 years in the federal pen.

Mechanically speaking, there isn't much difference between a semi-auto AR-15 and a full-auto M-16.

But converting semi-auto into full-auto has been illegal for decades, and is still illegal.

[kestrel91316]

10. It's obviously not illegal ENOUGH.

[99th_Monkey]

12. +100 nt

[kestrel91316]

9. Death penalty for possession of a fully automatic weapon or a conversion kit.

I'm quite serious. It is long past time to regulate our militia WELL.

[rdking647]

14. can you point out the last mass killing with a fully automatic weapon?

[kestrel91316]

15. No, and it's irrelevant. Some gun nut will do it in due time.

Unless they are 100% illegal and people are so afraid of being caught with one that they voluntarily turn them in.

[rdking647]

13. doing that without the proper permit is 10 years and a 10k fine

a legal kit costs thousands of dollars

[ManiacJoe]

16. Please stop spreading the myths.

The first guns is not real and the "conversion" does not make it "automatic".

The second "conversion" does not make it automatic, it makes it broken.

[rrneck]

18. Aside from the fact that adding a bit of string or filing the sear down are both federal crimes

I believe either technique may cause the gun to fire out of battery, thus destroying the firearm and potentially injuring the shooter. The top example is an airsoft gun, and the bottom is obviously a couple of kids. I wouldn't take them that seriously as a reputable source for firearms information.

I understand your trepidation but guns have been around for a long time, and there are about a zillion ways to beat design regulations either with innovative design or tactical adjustments for evil doers.

[klyon]

19. we need to stop making sick people that would do something like this

our society is so messing people up and today is just one example
the number of people killed on TV tonight is probably....... oh forget it

[NYC_SKP]

21. Pfffft.

Never actual held a firearm I'm thinkin'....