Sen. Feinstein's Bill, "Stopping the spread of deadly assault weapons"

[2hawk]

Assault Weapons - Issues - United States Senator Dianne Feinstein

Excerpted:

Following is a summary of the 2013 legislation:

Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:
120 specifically-named firearms
Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds
Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:
Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
Banning firearms with "thumbhole stocks" and "bullet buttons" to address attempts to "work around" prior bans
Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.

Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:
Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes and
Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons

Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:
Background check of owner and any transferee;
Type and serial number of the firearm;
Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and
Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration


Take Note: "Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test"
It appears that any rifle with a detachable magazine that has one "military characteristic" such as a pistol grip, flash hider or other muzzle device, or a collapsible/folding stock would be an "assault weapon."

And take special note of the part in bold. Gun registration on a national basis.

I hope you guys are willing to show up for a fight, and not think is is somehow not going to affect the collector or sportsman. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO DEFEAT THIS. PLEASE GET INVOLVED AND WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT YOUR RIGHTS. SUPPORT THE NRA, AND DON'T LET THE ANTIs GET A HEAD OF STEAM UP ON THIS. E PLURIBUS UNUM!

 

[Damocles]

It is too much, too extreme. Registration is 1 step away from confiscation. My gut tells me that Congress wouldn't go for it, however I've been surprised in the past. Time for people to stand up and kick this thing to the curb before it is too late.

 

[2hawk]

And, if they are banning the transfer of what you've got, no handing them down or passing them on. You are effectively the last owner of your arms.

I agree, it is too much. But the nation is heartbroken, and like it's been said, "A person is smart. People are stupid." Who knows what might happen in the halls of Congress in the current mood. I am not going to wait and see without trying to influence the outcome.

 

[redlevel]

For what it's worth, here is my prediction . . . . .

This bill or one like it will be presented for debate. The NRA, working behind the scenes and in public pronouncements will negotiate a bill that includes some restrictions, but will be much less onerous than what Feinstein is presenting.

Then, the "no compromise under any circumstances" crowd will announce that NRA has "sold us out."

I have been watching, studying, or teaching politics for 50 years. The closest thing I can think of to compare with the mood right now concerning guns is the mood of the country after the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, except about X10 as far as media hysteria. The "no compromise" crowd unjustly accuses NRA of selling out when GCA68 was passed as a result of these killings. For one thing, NRA didn't have the power it does now. Also, the RFK and MLK assassinations actually took place after the bill was introduced, but before final passage, lending great impetus toward that passage.

Today, there are otherwise reasonable people questioning whether or not citizens should be allowed to own so-called "assault weapons." I know them and you know them. The same thing was true after the JFK assassination. Remember, Oswald had gotten his weapons through the mail. No matter that tens of thousands of guns had been ordered through the mail and had not been used in crimes. Otherwise reasonable people just couldn't see the harm in a little more regulation.

Folks, I think some kind of legislation is inevitable at this point. I think that we should remember that the only governmental system that involves "no compromise" is a dictatorship. NRA is a lobbying organization. The purpose of lobbying organizations is to try their best to see that any legislation passed is beneficial to its members, and failing that, to alleviate the restrictions imposed by any legislation as much as possible.

I think we have to trust the NRA to do that for us.

 

[Tenn2]

I noticed that a couple of people did not have the NRA symbol on their thread. We need to get everyone signed up. It's only $35 a year and you even get a great magazine to read.
Russ

 

[Joewisc]

Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:
Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes

So what category, say, would a Ruger 10-22 with a 25-round magazine fall into?

The "900 specifically-named weapons" leave a lot of wiggle room but the worst part of this bill is the "registration" requirement. That needs to be defeated. I predict that after all the sausage-making in Congress, something will come out that will please neither side. The anti-gunners will say the legislation is too weak and the pro gun rights folks will say it went too far. The important point is that it will wind up further eroding the 2nd Amendment. I hope the Repubs and some right-thinking Democrats will filibuster. In the House, Boehner can stall action on a vote for months. He owes Barry one for embarrassing him on the fiscal cliff debacle.

 

[Stophel]

I'm glad we've got the NRA there to compromise for us.

 

[redlevel]

I'm glad we've got the NRA there to compromise for us.

No. The NRA is there to negotiate for us.

I take it you are not a member, nor a supporter of NRA.

 

[mkk41]

It is too much, too extreme. Registration is 1 step away from confiscation.

Hmmm , while I agree in principle , this certainly did not happen with the National Firearms Act of 1937 and full-autos. If you had a machine gun , you registered it , and if you sold it , you paid a $200 transfer tax. Which shockingly, hasn't gone up. $200 was a lot of money in '37. Approx. $3200 today.

Crimes , murders and suicides with legally owned and registered full-autos is practically non-existant.

And aside from freezing the number of legally transferable MGs in '86, the politicos have made NO hay over legally owned and registered MGs that I know of. At least on the Federal level.

The problem today is the first time a multiple shooting is on the news , legally owned and registered or not , the registration fee becomes yearly. And with every event after that , the tax gets raised.

 

[Joewisc]

Hmmm , while I agree in principle , this certainly did not happen with the National Firearms Act of 1937 and full-autos. If you had a machine gun , you registered it , and if you sold it , you paid a $200 transfer tax. Which shockingly, hasn't gone up. $200 was a lot of money in '37. Approx. $3200 today.

Crimes , murders and suicides with legally owned and registered full-autos is practically non-existant.

And aside from freezing the number of legally transferable MGs in '86, the politicos have made NO hay over legally owned and registered MGs that I know of. At least on the Federal level.

The problem today is the first time a multiple shooting is on the news , legally owned and registered or not , the registration fee becomes yearly. And with every event after that , the tax gets raised.

Good points. As I see it, lost in all the emotion is the fact that any legislation will result in new revenue for the federal government, which already is siphoning off too much in taxes, fees, etc. Look for new federal and/or state taxes on all ammunition sales.

 

[mkk41]

Look for new federal and/or state taxes on all ammunition sales.

Because?

A. Drug dealers and their gang have duffle bags full of cash!

B. Someone bent on killing themself and others will balk at the cost of the ammo being too high!

 

[Damocles]

It's all over the Drudge Report now in bold red letters.

 

[2hawk]

Great Response To Feinstein Proposals...

Letter to Feinstein:

No ma'am. - CNN iReport

"Senator Dianne Feinstein,

I will not register my weapons should this bill be passed, as I do not believe it is the government's right to know what I own. Nor do I think it prudent to tell you what I own so that it may be taken from me by a group of people who enjoy armed protection yet decry me having the same a crime. You ma'am have overstepped a line that is not your domain. I am a Marine Corps Veteran of 8 years, and I will not have some woman who proclaims the evil of an inanimate object, yet carries one, tell me I may not have one.

I am not your subject. I am the man who keeps you free. I am not your servant. I am the person whom you serve. I am not your peasant. I am the flesh and blood of America.
I am the man who fought for my country. I am the man who learned. I am an American. You will not tell me that I must register my semi-automatic AR-15 because of the actions of some evil man.

I will not be disarmed to suit the fear that has been established by the media and your misinformation campaign against the American public.

We, the people, deserve better than you..."

 

[David LaPell]

Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to get into the fight and get off their butts and start writing, calling, emailing their elected officials, Dems and Republicans alike. The next step is John Boehner, the buck stops with him. He can either stand and fight or cave, but we will remember which he does. He needs to know if he stands, we stand with him and if he caves, he will be replaced. Get to the media and shout this to the highest levels, Facebook pages, Twitter, everything. Grassroots at its finest. This is the time to stand, and we need gun owners who DON'T own any of these guns even more, because they need to know what is next if this ban goes into effect.

 

[2hawk]

Letters out to Boehner and Reid, as well as my local reps. I would suggest everyone take the time to let the elected ones know just how strong opposition to something like this is.

Please ad Speaker of the House Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid to list of people that you are writing to. They can trap legislation like this in committee, and never let it see the light of day.

Speaker Of The House John Boehner http://www.speaker.gov/contact
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid http://www.reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Got a shotgun with a screw in choke? Oh, that's a muzzle device, $200 and NFA Registry.

 

[2hawk]

Sample letter,

You guys can clip this, maybe add as you see fit. DO NOT MAKE THREATS! Except of course, for a promise to see them out of office if they support any new restrictions on our rights!

"In the light of recent national events, the rights of millions of law-abiding citizens are under scrutiny and attack. One such attack will attempt to be proposed this coming January by Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. This "knee-jerk" and "feel good" type of legislation does nothing to address the real issues involving guns in this great country. There can be no compromise of any type on any new measures that would result in banning, taxing, or further regulating semiautomatic firearms, magazines, or ammunition. It has been proven by the banning of guns in many cities in this country such as Chicago and Washington D.C. yet they have some of the highest gun crime rate published. Further legislation for banning or taxing firearms, characteristics, magazines, or ammunition will not address the real issues.

As your voting constituent I implore you to oppose any future firearm legislation and remember that, the "right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed".

Respectfully, ....."

 

[Tenn2]

So much for the 'DEMOs" wanting to balance the budget. The cost to do this will be in the billions. First they would have to hire more people to register all the firearms then the BATFE has to go door to door to follow up on all 4473s.

This was tried in CA and only 3% registered the firearms. All of the ones that were sold FTF? What a nightmare.
Russ

 

[Steve in Vermont]

For what it's worth, here is my prediction . . . . .

This bill or one like it will be presented for debate. The NRA, working behind the scenes and in public pronouncements will negotiate a bill that includes some restrictions, but will be much less onerous than what Feinstein is presenting.

Then, the "no compromise under any circumstances" crowd will announce that NRA has "sold us out."

I have been watching, studying, or teaching politics for 50 years. The closest thing I can think of to compare with the mood right now concerning guns is the mood of the country after the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, except about X10 as far as media hysteria. The "no compromise" crowd unjustly accuses NRA of selling out when GCA68 was passed as a result of these killings. For one thing, NRA didn't have the power it does now. Also, the RFK and MLK assassinations actually took place after the bill was introduced, but before final passage, lending great impetus toward that passage.

Today, there are otherwise reasonable people questioning whether or not citizens should be allowed to own so-called "assault weapons." I know them and you know them. The same thing was true after the JFK assassination. Remember, Oswald had gotten his weapons through the mail. No matter that tens of thousands of guns had been ordered through the mail and had not been used in crimes. Otherwise reasonable people just couldn't see the harm in a little more regulation.

Folks, I think some kind of legislation is inevitable at this point. I think that we should remember that the only governmental system that involves "no compromise" is a dictatorship. NRA is a lobbying organization. The purpose of lobbying organizations is to try their best to see that any legislation passed is beneficial to its members, and failing that, to alleviate the restrictions imposed by any legislation as much as possible.

I think we have to trust the NRA to do that for us.

I believe you're on the mark, that we'll end up with some type of legislation but I also doubt it will be so onerous that it will take away our basic rights under the 2nd A. I suspect it will return the "assault rifle" ban but doubt it will include a registration clause for current owners. And we're a long ways, if ever, from any form of ID card. Look at the financial mess. The government can't even do that right. Over the coming months this issue will calm down and we'll end up with something some of us don't like but we can live with. And our reloading components will once more be available, ammo will return to the shelves, and we (at least those of us in the North) will enjoy the warmth of summer.

 

[gunguy0829]

I for one have sent letters to Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader and my Governor. Everyone needs to make their voices loud. What I dont want to happen are a bunch of people going off on the issue with not intent of actualy doing something. It takes minutes to e mail congress, please write them.

"The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people."
Woodrow T. Wilson

 

[davidbush05]

I for one have sent letters to Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader and my Governor. Everyone needs to make their voices loud. What I don't want to happen are a bunch of people going off on the issue with not intent of actually doing something. It takes minutes to email congress, please write them.

"The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people."
Woodrow T. Wilson

I have done the same and encourage all others who love this country and the freedom we have to follow us!