A 2004 headline: Gun makers marketing assault weapons

[CBHagman]

In light of recent mass shootings and the talking points employed during post-massacre discussions, I decided to look up how the gun makers had marketed weapons to the U.S. public and found this 2004 NBC News story. Note in particular the point-counterpoint that concludes the article.

[url]http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5936578/ns/us_news/t/gun-makers-marketing-assault-weapons/#.V2Vy6BJM1Vc[/url]

With the federal ban on assault weapons set to expire next Monday, gun manufacturers are marketing military-style firearms and are ready to sell them as soon as Sept. 14, a consumer group said Tuesday.

“The gun industry is champing at the bit for the ban to expire,” said Susan Peschin, firearms project director at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit association of 300 consumer groups, which released the study.

(SNIP)

The Consumer Federation of America predicted that manufacturers would introduce new models of popular weapons that were banned under the 1994 law, such as AK-47s, TEC-9s and Uzis.

Manufacturers will also be able to circumvent a ban on the import of “non-sporting” assault weapons by combining foreign-made components with U.S.-made parts, the study said.

[Duckhunter935]

1. Models that functioned the same

And had the same firepower were legally sold throughout the AWB as the ban was only on cosmetic features.

[Hoyt]

2. More than cosmetic features, I think gunners buy them for hype about killing power and of course

[Duckhunter935]

3. Put a fixed stock and remove the flash hider

Fully AWB compliant. Rate of fire,caliber and functions are not changed.

Yep, cosmetic feature ban

[Hoyt]

4. That's why I'm for banning all semi-autos. No definitions needed. People aren't attracted to the

none sexy version.

These typical yahoos wouldn't be standing there looking stupid with the older models:

[Duckhunter935]

5. they look stupid in that picture

the type of rifle would not make a difference

[Hoyt]

8. Those are your gun buddies, and we are expected to coddle them. If

[Duckhunter935]

12. Never met them, not my buddies

Don't care for open carry myself.

[Just reading posts]

14. I agree completely. Concealed carry is best.

[Kang Colby]

18. Notice the dude on the right has

an SKS rifle in a mall ninja costume. Why someone would do that to a classic rifle is beyond me, but I also don't understand why someone would carry a rifle into Chipotle.

[Duckhunter935]

19. At least his finger is off the trigger unlike

Some anti-gun lawmakers I have seen. I totally agree with your observation

[Matrosov]

7. Yes, they would

They'd have fixed stocks instead of telescoping ones, they'd have muzzle brakes instead of flasher hiders.

The lethality and overall profile of the weapon itself would still be 100% the same.

[Hoyt]

10. Nope, not sexy enough for today's gun fanciers, looking for something special in the gunz they covet

[Kang Colby]

17. LOL

These typical yahoos wouldn't be standing there looking stupid with the older models:

That's funny on a number of levels.

[Duckhunter935]

20. Indeed so, lol

[Matrosov]

6. Stop being ignorant

Please educate yourselves

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027921026

The Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was a complete joke.

[Hoyt]

9. Exactly, ban all semi-autos, no matter how loudly gunners whine.

[Just reading posts]

13. Not going to happen, no matter how much gun control advocates push for it.

[Duckhunter935]

15. Never happen

[Eleanors38]

11. Some gun writers site the AWB period as the most innovative time for development...

...of the AR 15. Accuracy, reliability and add-on features were greatly improved, and several boutique makers filled the gap when the "big boys" were scared off, or saw no point in further refinement. By the time the faux ban ended, makers were already geared up and selling large numbers of semi-auto carbines. Pretty standard history.

[Duckhunter935]

16. Very true

Get rid of a bayonet lugg, adjustable stock and a flash hider and Shazam, not an assault weapon. Funny thing is an adjustable stock is a gun safety measure.