The New Assault Weapon Ban

With the new Democratic Congress, there is a new push to reenact the Assault Weapon Ban.  As a certified gun nut, I think the assault weapon ban is ridiculous.  It does nothing to prevent crime or anything else.  All it does is hamper the ability of honest people to own fun firearms.  But it occurs to me that many of you might not be gun nuts.  So, as a public service, I feel obliged to parse out a part of the newest bill to illustrate how ridiculous it is. 

Here is how the new bill defines an “assault rifle:”

(D) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine, and that has—

Let’s take this piece by piece.  What is a “semiautomatic rifle?”  The “automatic” part of the term means that the weapon automatically reloads after each round is fired.  The “semi” part means that it a person must depress the trigger one time for each round.  A “fully automatic” weapon is the kinds that continues to fire multiple rounds as long as the trigger is depressed.  Fully automatic weapons are already illegal for civilian use without a special permit. 

Semiautomatic rifles are among the most common rifles on the market.  Other options are pump, lever, bolt, single action, revolver, and a few more exotic actions. 

What is a “detachable magazine?”  A magazine is the receptacle for ammunition that feeds a weapon.  A detachable magazine is one that can be removed from the weapon.  Many people, including me, prefer detachable magazines because one can carry multiple magazines.  This makes it easier to reload without having to stop and push new cartridges into the magazine each time. 

At this point, we have a very typical rifle.  Here’s an example:

That’s a Ruger 10/22.  It’s semiautomatic with a detachable magazine. 

According to the bill, any rifle like the one above that includes any one of the following features is considered an “assault weapon:”

(i) a folding or telescoping stock;

The stock of a rifle is the part that sticks out the back that one places against their shoulder when firing.  A folding stock is one that folds up when not in use.  A telescoping stopck is one that slides out like a telescope and locks into place.  Both are used to make the weapon fold up a little for easier transport.  Here’s an example of a rifle with a folding stock:

Folding stocks are nice because they make weapons easier to transport, but they come at a cost.  Since they introduce a movable part into the firing line, they generally make weapons less accurate at long ranges.  Does a folding stock make a weapon more deadly?  Not at all.  In fact, it makes a weapon less deadly at longer ranges. 

Here’s the next criteria:

(ii) a threaded barrel;

A threaded barrel is a barrel that has threads like a screw at the end of it.  A threaded barrel is needed for attaching a silencer.  Silencers are already illegal, so the only real point of a threaded barrel is cosmetic.  It looks kind of cool. 

Does a threaded barrel make a weapon more deadly?  Not at all.  It makes it quieter if coupled with a silencer, but by itself, a threaded barrel is meaningless.  Of course, if a crook is already willing to break the law to purchase a silencer, he is unlikely to be deterred by restrictions against threaded barrels. 

(iii) a pistol grip;

A pistol grip is a grip that extends down at an angle - like a pistol.  I know, it’s very confusing.  Here’s an example of a rifle with a pistol grip:

Some people like pistol grips because they make a weapon more comfortable to fire.  It is more ergonomically correct than a traditional rifle grip.  Does it make a rifle more deadly?  Not at all.  It just makes it more comfortable. 

(iv) a forward grip;

A forward grip is a vertical grip that is installed somewhere along the barrel of a rifle.  Here’s an example:

That’s an M4 Carbine with a telescoping stock, pistol grip, and a forward grip.  Again, does a forward grip make a weapon any more deadly?  No.  It makes it a bit easier to hold.  If you have a pump action weapon, a forward grip makes it a bit easier to pump (I want one for my shotgun), but for a semiautomatic weapon, it’s more for show than anything else. 

(v) a barrel shroud.

A barrel shroud is a metal shield that goes over a barrel.  Here’s an example:

All a barrel shroud does is dissipate heat from the barrel so that you don’t burn the crap out of your hand if you touch the barrel after firing it a few times.  Also, it looks cool. 

So… that’s it.  If you combine a semiautomatic rifle with a removable magazine with any of the above features, it would be banned under this bill.  Do any of the features make the weapon more deadly or more likely to be used in a crime?  No.  Not at all. 

Now you see why we refer to the assault weapon ban as the “scary looking gun ban.”

Posted by Owen at 1527 hrs
Firearms + Politics + Politics - General