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Tell elected leaders to ban assault rifles; John S. Watson (JSW); Beaver County Times; March 22, 2018.
Below is a review of the subject letter.
“The Second Amendment was written at a times [sic] when the only firearms were black-powder flintlock and cap-and-ball weapons. The men who drafted the amendment into our Constitution knew it would make it nearly impossible to be invaded and defeated by another country. This means that all citizens who had guns were militia in reserve of the army.”
[RWC] “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” - Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Please read my review of the Second Amendment. It addresses most of JSW’s issues. I don’t know if JSW understands the purpose of Amendment II.
“With the history lesson out of the way, here is the lesson of modern day. It starts with the National Rifle Association, whose purpose, as I understand it, was to promote the sport of shooting competition and our hunting heritage.”
[RWC] The history lesson is not “out of the way.” While JSW focused on being “invaded and defeated by another country,” the Founders were also concerned about potential future domestic “enterprises of ambition” by our government against us.
“From the time firearms were introduced in this country, they have evolved into what we have today. A gun has four purposes: combat (for military or law enforcement); hunting; self-protection; and target competition. Of the four purposes, the assault rifle belongs only in the combat category.”
[RWC] Nowhere in his letter did JSW provide his definition of “assault rifle.” I wonder if JSW realizes muskets were the “assault rifles” of their day.
Should the inconceivable day come and the federal government turns on us, are we to throw spears at the traitors carrying “assault rifles” and wearing body armor?
I hate to break the news, but “assault rifles” belong in all of JSW’s “purposes,” though Amendment II mentions only “combat” (“the security of a free State”).
“Our government outlawed the ‘Tommy’ Thompson machine gun that was used in the ’20s and ’30s. The same should be done for the assault rifles with their 30-plus-round magazines.”
[RWC] I’m sure JSW knows fully-automatic weapons are illegal with very narrow exceptions. The “‘Tommy’ Thompson machine gun” is just one example. The civilian purchase of new, fully-automatic weapons (multiple shots per trigger-pull) has been illegal since 1986. According to NPR, “that legislation passed with the blessing of the National Rifle Association, which now opposes gun control measures.” Fully-automatic weapons registered by civilians before 1986 are legal, however, and can be transferred to other civilians. Further, it’s illegal to convert a semi-automatic weapon to fully-automatic.
“Our senators and representatives work for us, not the NRA. Call them. Write them. Tell them you want rid of assault rifles on the open market.”
[RWC] It appears JSW is okay with “assault rifles” as long as they aren’t “on the open market.” Yes, that was a cheap shot, and so was that. <g>
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