Civilian ownership of "military style weapons"

[USAF385]

I'm just glad big brother doesn't know about my AC-130U I have parked out back under tarps....

 

[Harrison]

I dunno, the Springfield O3 was standard issue up until WWII. The Marines that went ashore on Guadacanal were all armed with O3 Springfields, and they were issued to second line troops, such as engineers throughout the war. Yet, American civilians were allowed to own and buy Springfields starting shortly after WWI. In fact, national match shooting was quite popular with civilians, they were allowed to purchase Springfields through the DCM in order to compete. For that matter, the 50-70 and 45-70 trapdoor were still first line issue and the military was also selling them to civilians. So, American civilians have been able to acquire first line military rifles going back well over a 100 years. Of course our current battle rifle is full auto, so that is out.

 

[orion1]

I think that we need to reframe the argument instead of always being drawn into and fighting the left's argument. What do I mean by that? The argument always starts out with a statement similar to what the OP said "why do civilians need to own military style weapons. To fight that argument, you have already conceded a point at least in the mind of those who do not understand the subtle differences. A more accurate starting point would be; throughout our history civilians have rarely owned modern military weapons. Civilian gun ownership has instead more closely mirrored that of their law enforcement officers. The civilian ownership of automatic weapons and explosives is very rare and highly regulated.

Respectfully submitted from the peoples republic of new yorkistan

 

[Xtasy]

A question in a free country can never be why should you have XXXX , but instead why shouldn't you have it. That makes the difference between dictatorship and free country.

 

[BHarada]

We only own "military style" weapons because the US military has been slow to come out with the next generation of small arms. The M16 design is over 50 years old.

Where are the phased plasma rifles in the 40 watt range?

 

[Stophel]

The 2nd Amendment is about WAR. It is about States and Civilians defending themselves against the MILITARY and POLICE of a tyrannical central government. This is it. THE reason for the Right to Bear Arms. It is also only spoken by "gun rights advocates" in hushed tones, hoping no one else will hear them, for fear of being labeled as an "extremist", "tin foil hat wearer", "conspiracy nut", ad infinitum, ad nauseum. People seem absolutely fright stricken to stand up for the truth and risk one of these monikers. The only thing that generates more sheer terror is being called a "racist".

And yes, "Arms" means ARMS. Rifles, pistols, spears, swords, axes, machine guns, rocket launchers, tanks, fighter planes, the whole shebang.

For MOST people, the whole idea of defense against a tyrannical government is utterly incomprehensible. They TRULY believe that the government is only there to help them, and that their great leaders are never evil, but at most, misguided, and that everything truly is exactly as it's presented on the TV news. They simply do not see the incongruity when they say (and I have heard several statements like this on TV lately) "why, this isn't tyranny. We just want to take your guns away from you". Well, yes, that IS tyranny. One of many. But, being content to recline in the comfort of their gilded chains and sordid affluence, they just don't get that.

The simple fact of the matter is that those who REALLY believe in the Right to Bear Arms are relatively few, and are outnumbered more and more every day by those who worship at the feet of their leaders. They are being bred, indoctrinated, and imported in this country in massive numbers.

 

[Xtasy]

For MOST people, the whole idea of defense against a tyrannical government is utterly incomprehensible.

That's why it is so important that kids get a good education in history. But it seems like it is not very important anymore and we just give them some pre-chewed bull****.The winner of american idol is more important then the reasons why people were supporting the terrible crimes in WWII

 

[Old TexMex]

Hey, it just occurs to me that the first military in the service of the Declaration of Independence and the Continental Army was armed with CIVILIAN STYLE WEAPONS. no point, I was just sayin....

 

[kennyb]

Cosmetics and color do not an "assault weapon" make.

Modern sporting rifles and carbines like the AR-15 are small-caliber firearms intended for civilian use in sport and recreational shooting. They are the most popular sporting rifle in America, rarely used in crime, but the standard for shooting sport and competition. Given their tremendous popularity, they often serve as home defense once off the range.

Modern sporting rifles do not fire any faster (one round per trigger squeeze) than pappy's revolver; they fire a round much smaller than pappy's .45 caliber revolver; they fire only one .22 caliber projectile per trigger squeeze whereas pappy's shotgun fires nine (9) .30 caliber projectiles with one trigger press; they operate no differently than pappy's Ranch Rifle used for varmint control and small-game hunting.

The term "assault weapon" (or "military-style assault weapon" as preferred by the President) is blatantly and admittedly designed to gin up fear and create confusion. The intent is for the public unfamiliar with firearms tech to think that these civilian sporting arms are rapid-fire, high-power, large-caliber, automatic weapons. They are not.

Military-style assault weapons have been banned and tightly controlled since the 1930s. Civilian firearms that fire one round per trigger press have been around for ages and are not "military-style assault weapons" or "assault rifles." They are small-caliber sporting arms.

While their function is different, these sporting arms are the most cosmetically-similar to those glorified in sadistic and violent video games. It isn't any wonder that mental cases going on some violent Zombie/Warcraft/Grand Theft-like rampage they dreamed up in their insanity-fueled basement netherworld end up choosing something that emulates their psychotic X-Box fantasy. .... But it's all the gun's fault....

this is so well stated and thought out...in over 30 years of police work i NEVER saw an AR or AK used in a crime...never...and i'm in a fairly high crime city....weapon of choice IF it was a firearm at all was a handgun,shotgun,occasional 22 rifle and the like.....

 

[CoMF]

Same with the wealthy vs the working class. Average people shouldn't have guns. They say if you're afraid , simply move to a big gated property or exclusive community with alarms and private security patrol.

Still not feeling secure? Hire private body guards.

Can't afford it? Then you must be poorer than us (because you didn't apply yourself) and you don't count.

Y'know... This sounds exactly like the kind of elitist attitude some of our elected officials have! Just sayin'.

At any rate, no one is ever going to convince me that civil rights are "need-based"...