The Second Ammendment Lobby and Police Safety

[Stan]

Stan:

ARs, at least 5.56 mm/.223 ones aren't meant for hunting much more than prairie dogs. They are used for all kinds of other things and are good at those things.

There are really good shooters. And then there are not such really good shooters...like me. We started out with 8 shot .45s and when we switched to 16 shot Glock 31s I felt a whole lot better about things. As I felt a whole lot better with the AR up front and the 12 gauge in the trunk.

Carl,
Spent most of my youth on a PA farm using my Uncle's 22-250 (basically a 5.56 with some extra umph !). My point was however that while I see no need for an AR nor AK, that's just me and the basic problem in this thread are in fact those that do want an AR or AK in the trunk and right now that should be OK. Why they want one is not an issue.

Regards, Stan

[davidbfpo]

I have been watching this discussion, which is of interest although I am "over the pond" in the UK where civilian possession of an 'assault weapon' has been illegal for many years - after mass shootings - and we have no constitution too. Caveat aside now.

However in my reading I came across this, which adds a certain poignancy to the discussion:

Eden (Albuquerque police chief) showed a video of one protester – clad in body armor – armed with an AK-47 assault rifle. The man loaded the weapon and urged onlookers to “use force against the police officers,” Eden said....Police know the assault rifle was real because officers had seen it and a review of video of the man – who put the rifle back into a van after the crowd disapproved of his actions – confirmed it. The man disappeared into the crowd, Eden said, and was not arrested

There was another protester with an AK47.

To say the least there is a mass of context to this event within a protest over a mentally ill male being shot dead by the police. If interested the officers video is available:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwytoxMuk4U#t=14

It does illustrate the dangers posed to US LE in such a situation, one where it is the police who are the target of the protest.

Link to local press report:http://www.abqjournal.com/377167/new...ame-a-mob.html

The BBC coverage of the protest:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26814976

[TheCurmudgeon]

I have been watching this discussion, which is of interest although I am "over the pond" in the UK where civilian possession of an 'assault weapon' has been illegal for many years - after mass shootings - and we have no constitution too. Caveat aside now.

David,

Has the question of private ownership of Military Style Semi-Automatic weapons ever been reconsidered in a political context in England since the ban was put in place?

[davidbfpo]

David,

Has the question of private ownership of Military Style Semi-Automatic weapons ever been reconsidered in a political context in England since the ban was put in place?

No, it is very unlikely that the ban will be reconsidered, let alone lifted. There is some pressure for lighter regulation, from serious match shooting enthusiasts for example. For a host of reasons 'military style weapons', let alone semi-autos, were never licensed in large numbers. It has become increasingly hard to legally possess a handgun - it has been illegal since 1997 - and 'home defence' has never been accepted as a rationale.

The legislative 'crack down', mainly using greater regulation, came after four mass shootings:

Hungerford 1987, sixteen dead, wounded fifteen, using a military semi-auto SKS and other weapons:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford_massacre

Monkseaton 1989, one dead, sixteen shot, with a shotgun:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkseaton_shootings

Dunblane 1996, sixteen children and one adult dead, using licensed hand guns:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane_massacre

Cumbria 2010, twelve dead, with eleven injured, using a shotgun and .22 rifle:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbria_shootings

We still have regular home hostage incidents, armed crime - mainly with illegal handguns; it is rare to have multiple shooter incidents - in fact I cannot readily recall one. The one I can was long ago, the 1911 Sidney Street siege, involving Russian anarchists, with automatic weapons, three policemen and a firefighter murdered:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Sidney_Street

[Kiwigrunt]

No, it is very unlikely that the ban will be reconsidered, let alone lifted. There is some pressure for lighter regulation, from serious match shooting enthusiasts for example. For a host of reasons 'military style weapons', let alone semi-autos, were never licensed in large numbers. It has become increasingly hard to legally possess a handgun - it has been illegal since 1997 - and 'home defence' has never been accepted as a rationale.

Interestingly, single shot (straight pull) AR15s appear to be allowed in the UK.

[davidbfpo]

That photo is from last week disorder @ Albuquerque. I did wonder if those shown were State Police, as APD had been dressed differently.

[TheCurmudgeon]

That photo is from last week disorder @ Albuquerque. I did wonder if those shown were State Police, as APD had been dressed differently.

Well they certainly don't help reduce the tension when they are dressed like that.

[davidbfpo]

Interestingly, single shot (straight pull) AR15s appear to be allowed in the UK.

They maybe available, but I'd like to see how an application for a Firearms Licence went. I'd wager a fresh applicant would get nowhere. Only someone with a long history of target shooting at a club (who often store the weapons) or being a professional shooter in a rural area would make progress.

Amongst the conditions is:

You must also prove to the chief officer of police that you’re allowed to have a firearms certificate and pose no danger to public safety or to the peace.

See:https://www.gov.uk/shotgun-and-firearm-certificates