General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: In which I remind DU that the assault weapons ban doesn't do what you think it does [View all]JohnnyRingo
(18,628 posts)I grew up around guns, and used to have a Colt collection of mostly old single action western-style revolvers. Now I just have two favorites left that seldom see the light of day.
I never really understood the frantic craze to own military assault weapons, unless someone lives in the tundras of Alaska or backwoods of Montana along with bears and the like. I'm afraid many such sales are to people who wish they were on Seal Team Six, one of the most dangerous forms of gun owner, so a cosmetic ban that would hopefully defuse those types would be fine with me. I don't know how else to end the mass killer fetish these weapons seem to instill in some.
Personally, I wouldn't want to see a sweeping ban on all semi-autos that would end sales of the popular .22 Remington rifles that are primarily used for plinking tin cans and keeping rabidly aggressive raccoons from the family pets.
I know some people screw things up for law abiding citizens though. There was that first person who drove off without paying for their gas. Now I have to pre-pay before I pump, and I don't like it.
I think the NRA would be well served to go after the nuts who read about a mass murder and see it as a record to be bested. They should be on the record as staunchly pro-sportsman instead of protection. Stop promoting guns as the best way to kill someone.