Many guns will still be banned after 9/13/04

[funkyflathead]

About the only thing sunset of the 1994 "AWB" will do is allow gun owners to add collapsible stocks to their AR-15 carbines and bayonet lugs to their M1As.

Thanks to Bush Sr and Clinton many s-a will still be banned permanently.

So don't believe all this "ak-47s on the street" crap.

[Columbia]

1. Correct

Unfortunately most Americans are not informed enough about the issue to know that.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

2. Why do you need an AK-47?

I never really understood the gun issue. If you hunt, then I don't think an AK-47 would be the right "tool". If you're concerned about home security, then a less powerful gun would do.

Why do people want such powerful guns? It's an honest question, not trying to be rude.

Thanks.

[funkyflathead]

4. Because the semi versions of the AK go bang and are cheap

It is a very reliable and easy to maintain gun.

It shoots cheap, good ammo 7.62x39 Russian.

It is a good defense gun with 30 round mags that can be bought for $8 each.

Granted I like the AK-74 better but either one works for me.

BTW: Most of these guns were banned in 1989, 1994 and 1998 respectively.

[rockymountaindem]

5. I know these people intimately

and they think that someone with an even bigger gun is going to come after them. That's why they get the Kalashnakovs. Well, some of them think the AK will be of use when the government comes to arrest them. Whatever, if it's really that bad the Army will bring out a tank and then where's the AK going to get you?

[alwynsw]

9. Only fools think that.

It's purely a sporting issue for the vast majority of firearms owners.

[solinvictus]

15. Tanks

"Whatever, if it's really that bad the Army will bring out a tank and then where's the AK going to get you?"

Well, tanks and other support vehicles are high maintanance and require service and refueling. Now, what happens when the tank STOPS without fuel, ammo, or food? There you go....

[pacifictiger]

6. his whole gun issue

is another example of the public being brainwashed by the media. Don't you all get it? It suits to try to keep people in fear and chaos - they've conned everyone into thinking it is their right to have a weapon to defend themselves against the boogeyman in the closet - that way the fearful masses won't scrutinize the pushers too much. And I'd like to know how to find out who all the stockholders and executives making money from the gun industry. The constitutional amendment speaks of an ORGANIZED militia to protect civilians in the days when there was no police force to count on. What ever happened to the commandment of "thou shalt not kill" by the bible banging gun promoters. The only purpose to have a gun requiring bullets is to either intend to kill for fear or predation.

[Columbia]

7. Tell that to

the Korean shop owners during the Los Angeles riots who defended their stores with AK-47s and other weapons. Their stores survived while thousands of others burned to the ground never to return.

In case you haven't noticed, we, the people, are the militia. Why would you deny one the right of defense of self, family and community?

[alwynsw]

11. The term is "well-regulated" and I'm a shareholder in

several companies that manufacture firearms. I'm also a card-carrying progressive.

Would you clarify your use of "predation"? If you're referring to plunder and pillaging, I'm offended. If you're referring to killing animals for food, I don't mind because I do just that. FYI: when hunting, I only kill what I intend to eat.

[alwynsw]

8. AK-47's aren't that powerful.

It fires a 7.62X39 round that is similar to the 30-30 in its ballistics. Unless you have the proper licenses, semi-auto fire is all you get. An AK with select fire that is capable of going full auto IS an assault weapon. It's also a ton of fun to shoot on full auto.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the trouble of going through all the checks and investigations to buy a select fire weapon. But, if it's someone else's fancy, who am I to tell them no?

Incidentally, the AK is relatively weak in the sporting arms arena. Even the 30-30 is (marginally) superior ballistically.

Here's the AK 47 round compared to the 30-30 and 30.06 - two of the most popular sporting rounds:(I used the most populaar rounds for each. These are muzzle ballistics.)


Muzzle Velocity Ft. Lbs. Energy Bullet Wt.
7.62x39mm 2365 fps 1552 125 gr.
30-30 Win. 2390 fps 1902 150 gr.
30-06 Springfield 2700 fps 2913 180 gr.

It gets more involved than that, but it's a representative comparison.
I have rifles that produce nearly 3 foot tons of energy at the muzzle. It comes in handy for big game - especially those animals than can kill and eat me if I don't get a clean kill.

[FeebMaster]

10. Not to mention

"Personally, I don't think it's worth the trouble of going through all the checks and investigations to buy a select fire weapon."

the massively inflated prices.

[funkyflathead]

12. It's powerful enough to kill you and it's cheap

The cartridge is a good one for the average gun owner.


The 123 grain FMJ bullet works for most armies.

[alwynsw]

13. True. All true.

But the media loves to make it out as the most powerful gun in the world. Oh, wait, I forgot. The .223 is the most powerful. My mistake.

[funkyflathead]

14. You are right about that

They make sound like it is 5 times as powerful as the .408 CheyTac or something.

[Withergyld]

17. why does anyone NEED anything???

Does anyone NEED a car that goes faster then 75 MPH?
Does anyone NEED alcohol?
Does anyone NEED a Cadillac Escalade?

In US v Miller the basis of the decision was that non-military weapons were not protected by the 2nd Amendment. An AK-47 is a military weapon and the right to keep and bear one IS protected under the 2nd. Hunting weapons are NOT protected by the 2nd.

US v. Miller also examined the "militia". They cite that the "militia" is ALL able bodied residents. USC Title 10 section 311 defines the makeup of the militia. This definition includes all males between 17 and 45 years of age as being members of the "militia."

[alwynsw]

3. I'm just looking forward to standard capacity mags.

I still think the ban is WRONG. Although it doesn't affect my shooting habits I feel for those whose style gets cramped. Talk about freedom and civil rights - what next? Are they gonna come after the pre-ban stuff? I've a few of those. Private purchases, thankfully. No real paper trail to me.

[Withergyld]

16. What will still be banned???

Many imported weapons have been banned from further import, BUT with enough US made parts ANY rifle can be considered a Domestically made rifle. This is why they are still importing/selling AK varients and FN FAL varients