The type of weapon, when it comes to crazy people committing mass shootings, matters.

[fightforfreedom]

Speaking from experience, I was in the military, you feel empowered, invincible, when you are holding a weapon that can fire many rounds in seconds.

If we banned military assault rifles and regulated semi auto pistols, the number of mass shootings would drop. It would not stop all of them, but it would stop many of them because you don't get the same sense of invincibility, empowerment, when you are holding a bolt action rifle or a revolver or a shotgun. These weapons don't have large capacity clips, you have to reload often.

An assault rifle in the hand of a crazy person makes them believe they are Rambo.

[Scrivener7]

1. While I have no doubt that what you say is true, I await the gungeoneers coming into

the thread to argue about what is semi automatic and what is not, what is a clip and what is a magazine, etc, etc, ad nauseam, then concluding that there can be no agreement and therefore there can be no reform.

Like they do.

Though they do seem to be a bit quiet this time around.

[dwayneb]

5. LOL the gun fetishists always have to show their knowledge

It's their way of showing their "superiority".

Reality is that the gun scum couldn't care less about school shootings, this is all about power, gaining it and maintaining it. There is no price too high.

[crickets]

7. They are being quiet, almost eerily so, but I am grateful for it. nt

[Hangingon]

9. I think the best answer is to let the vitriol spill.

Use any language you want in the law. Makes it easier when you go to court

[Effete Snob]

2. The drivers of these two cars are likely to behave differently

Simply because they look different and have different accessories.

[fightforfreedom]

6. Exactly.

Good post.

[Hangingon]

10. Nicely done!

[BeyondGeography]

3. K&R

But if past is prologue here you will be grilled on what constitutes “military” or “assault” grade weapons by people who are not prepared to accept any reasonable and/or informed answer.

At this point I’d settle for pushing the age requirement up to 21. The thought of any number of my old classmates having access to AR 15s at the age of 18 makes me glad I grew up when I did.

[gldstwmn]

4. I support a ban. Murphy said it in his speech last night and then started to back off.

It was disappointing.

[Model35mech]

8. Speaking from experience as ex-military, I DID NOT FEEL EMPOWERED

when holding an M16 with or without the bayonet installed.

I remember the frontal assault drill. The squad spread out marching forward firing. I FELT THAT WAS A DAMNED DANGEROUS WAY TO APPROACH AN ENTRENCHED ENEMY POSITION!!! IT was the LAST goddamned thing I hoped to every have to do.

Similarly, playing pugil sticks. and then attacking bayonet targets LIKEWISE gave me the 'willies'. At soughly 120 lbs I really never wanted to throw my weight into a parry and thrust against an enemy. I had this awful awful feeling such a combat wouldn't turn out well.

So. It may have given you a surge of empowerment, but for me, it pointed out all my vulnerabilities.