Banning Gun Imports

[jpak]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/opinion/lweb02gun.html


Re “Hypocrisy, Locked and Loaded” (editorial, June 21):

While I agree that Congress should reinstate the assault-weapons ban and close the gun-show loophole, I am not optimistic that the House will do this. There are, however, steps that the administration can take without any new legislation that will slow the illegal flow of weapons to Mexico, in particular enforcing a ban on imported military-style weapons.

<snip>

The Gun Control Act of 1968 authorized the United States government to prohibit the importation of firearms and ammunition not “particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” While I support the right of American citizens to own firearms for legal purposes, there is nothing sporting about AK-47s, which are military-style weapons.

The ban on assault-weapons imports was first enforced by President George H. W. Bush and strengthened by President Bill Clinton before it was abandoned by President George W. Bush. President Obama can and should return to full enforcement of this law without delay. This will not only slow the illegal flow of firearms to Mexico, but it will also make us safer here in the United States.

ELIOT L. ENGEL

<not much more>

This is Democratic Congressman Eliot Engle (17-NY)

Backlash

yup

:thumbsup:

[Hangingon]

1. Same BS that was swatted down yesterday.

What is it when you do the same thing over and over with the same result...

[Katya Mullethov]

4. What is it ?

Exactly the kind of innovative thinking that is driving our national economic recovery . That's what it is .

[virginia mountainman]

5. Because thats what gun control advocates do...

I have no idea why they keep doing the same things over and over...Do they expect a different result??

[hack89]

2. No - that is a Democratic idiot. nt

[gejohnston]

6. So?

Does not change the fact that it is as reality based as supply side economics. Another parallel is that those who want it know and don't care they are a failure for the rest of us as long as it serves the interests of TPTB.

[hack89]

8. American civil rights should never be sacrificed to solve another country's problems

semi-automatic rifles do not pose a public safety problem in America. Not only are they used in a tiny fraction of crimes, gun crimes are at a 50 year low and steadily declining despite gun ownership being at historic levels.

Additionally, his "facts" are questionable. The Mexican cartels have access to real military rifles, not less-capable civilian market clones. South and Central America are awash with military weaponry from the past 20 years of war. They don't need to buy guns from US gun shops to have all the fire power they want.

[gejohnston]

12. let me clarify

First welcome to DU. I know the real deal with Mexican guns as you do. I was under the mistaken impression that you meant that we should side with him because he is a Dem. That is why I compared his BS with supply side economics, the point being idiotic can be bipartisan.
Of course, the cynical side of me makes me wonder if a US company gave to his campaign (or set up in his district)to push out competitors. Like GCA68's ban on importing military surplus. When countries were dumping bolt action rifles for autos, that created a cottage industry of "sportorizing" these guns for US and Canadian hunters (like the SKS). Low cost deer rife, that pissed off Winchester and others for obvious reasons. They called their pet congress person.

[DissedByBush]

3. What will slow the illegal flow

Arrest those at the ATF, DHS and DOJ who ordered it to happen.

[Straw Man]

7. The folks at Arsenal would be very happy.

US-made AK variants for everybody!

[gejohnston]

10. Like Ed Schultz says,

buy American! Yeah I know, I picked up a new Walther yesterday. But my son got a Marlin, does that count?

[krispos42]

9. First paragraph is the usual bullshit

As is the third.

Second paragraph is debatable. "Sporting" is a vague term.


The round that the AK-47 and SKS rifles fire is the 7.62x39mm. It's about equal to the classic .30-30, a popular round in lever-action guns.


From the Winchester Ammunition website:

.30-30 Winchester
Bullet weight: 150 gr.
Bullet diameter: .308 in.
Bullet type: Super-X "Silvertip" soft-point expanding bullet
Muzzle velocity: 2,390 ft/s
Muzzle energy: 1,902 foot-pounds


7.62x39mm Short Russian
Bullet weight: 123 gr.
Bullet diameter: .311 in.
Bullet type: Super-X soft-point expanding bullet
Muzzle velocity: 2,365 ft/s
Muzzle energy: 1,527 foot-pounds


So the issue isn't the ammunition the gun fires... it's produced to the same specs and made for the same purposes as other .30-caliber ammunition.



So let's look at the rifle.

Q: It is reliable?
A: Yes, it is. The AK-47 design has legendary reliability. Designed for use by uneducated conscripted troops, it is extremely reliable in adverse conditions and with little maintenance.
Q: Is this a desirable characteristic of a sporting arm?
A: I certainly think so.


Q: Is the ammunition sufficiently powerful for hunting?
A: Yes. In some states the minimum power threshold for hunting deer is 1,000 foot-pounds of energy. The 7.62x39mm exceeds that by at least 50%.

Q: How far can the AK-47's bullet go while still retaining enough power to kill a game animal cleanly?
A: The hunting magazines generally recommend hitting a deer with at least 500 foot-pounds of energy. By that standard, the bullet fired by the 7.62x39mm cartridge has an effective range of about 325 yards, as does the .30-30 Winchester.

Q: Is the AK-47 accurate enough for hunting?
A: Yes. Although AK-47s are not known for accuracy, within the limits of the ammunition it fires it is accurate enough to hit the vitals of a deer. Whether the hunter has the necessary skills do do so is outside the scope of this issue.
Q: Is this a desirable characteristic of a sporting arm?
A: I certainly think so.

Q: Is the AK-47 durable enough for the rigors of the field?
A: Yes. Being designed for combat, the rifle is capable of working in extremes of temperature and moisture, as well as being handled roughly.
Q: Is this a desirable characteristic of a sporting arm?
A: I certainly think so.

Q: Can the AK-47's capacity be limited to comply with sporting regulations?
A: Yes. Being of the detachable-magazine type, the hunter can easily purchase and load a magazine that complies with big-game hunting regulations, typically specifying a limit of 5 or 6 rounds total in the gun.
Q: Is this a desirable characteristic of a sporting arm?
A: I certainly think so.

Q: Can the AK-47 take optics such as telescopic sights to increase precision and make shots on animals more likely to be humane?
A: Yes, without difficulty. Mounts and optics are readily available by a number of companies specifically for AK-47 rifles.
Q: Is this a desirable characteristic of a sporting arm?
A: I certainly think so.

Q: Does the commonly available AK-47 fire fully automatic?
A: No. The ones for sale at gun shops across the country are all semi-automatic; that is, they fire one shot (and only one shot) per pull of the trigger, and they cannot be converted to full-auto fire without the services of a machine shop and a knowledgeable gunsmith.


Q: Does the presence of the pistol grip detract from the gun's ability to be used in a sporting fashion.
A: No.




So, what can make the AK-47 NOT particularly suiting for sporting use? The fact that it can be reloaded rapidly?

[benEzra]

11. Channelling William J. Bennett today, I see. (n/t)