Conn. Senate OKs machine gun ban for children

[The Straight Story]

Conn. Senate OKs machine gun ban for children
4/30/2009, 1:12 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press

(AP) — HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) ? The Connecticut Senate has passed legislation banning people from letting anyone under 16 years old handle or shoot fully automatic machine guns in the state.

The legislation stems from an October incident in which an 8-year-old Ashford boy died when he accidentally shot himself in the head with an Uzi during a gun fair in Westfield, Mass.

The Senate passed the bill on a 31-2 vote Thursday. It now awaits House action.

Supporters of the bill, including some senators known as gun rights advocates, say the legislation is common sense and is something most people would think is already law. But the bill's two opponents say the legislation is unnecessary and questioned if it would prevent a similar tragedy.

http://www.masslive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-10/1241114786250170.xml&storylist=massnews

[konnichi wa]

1. Well, that certainly will put a stop to it.

...

[NightWatcher]

2. cant wait to see who's against this....

I'm a gun nut, but.....

"toddlers need the ability to defend themselves with machine guns from hte hordes of__________ that are rampant on the playgrounds"?

I dont think kids (under 16 or 18) need to be able to handle a pistol. Keep them on rifles for hunting purpose if they must.

[TheWraith]

3. Frankly, besides being a "duh" thing, that particular weapon shouldn't have been in service.

It was regarded as becoming dangerously unreliable for use. However, since the 1986 ban on new registrations under the National Firearms Act, there can be no more legal machine guns than there are now, meaning people are going to stretch the ones which are being used until they die.

[ShortnFiery]

4. Oh boy, I feel better. Don't you.

"No honey, but you can help Re-load!" :crazy:

:eyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b29-BgRQkxU

[rwheeler31]

5. These gun people think they are the only people

who have rights. What adult would not protect kids from guns.

[Raskolnik]

12. I'm not sure who "these gun people" are,

nor why you believe that they think they are the only people who have rights.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. How long until the NRA starts screaming?

Not long, I bet. :eyes:

[Bucky]

7. Look out--those gun confiscationists are coming after your children now!

Just practicing.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. What's next - banning crib toys? CT, you've gone too far.

:sarcasm: :rofl:

[virginia mountainman]

9. As a strong gun rights supporter...

I only have a couple of minor problems with the legislation..

1. Why the restriction on "handling"? This could effect kids at museums and such. I was a chaperon on a recent school trip for 6th Graders, to the D Day Memorial, in Bedford VA... They got to handle all kinds of weapons, and equipment their, I assumed they where 'live" because they had trigger locks and other devices installed. They actually, dressed some of the kids in full battle gear, to show just how heavy this gear was to those soldiers on D Day.

It would be ashamed to legislate a real, learning experience away from our kids..

2. I am not big on legislation that is passed, into law, because of ONE ISOLATED INCIDENT. Many times, such legislation is very flawed.

[virginia mountainman]

10. Kick..

[Raskolnik]

11. A little knee-jerk for my tastes, but whatever. n/t

[TheCoxwain]

13. Oh My God .. they are snatching away our guns ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPBHtjZmSpw

[Raskolnik]

14. You'd never know it from that cartoon, but non-white people have from time to time

owned guns in U.S. history. Shocking, I know, but there it is.