Can you name an example of one?

When the "assault weapons ban" was passed in 1994, all existing "assault weapons" were exempt.

There's a clause in the Constitution, Article I, Section 9, (Clause 3) which states, "No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed." And this clause applies more specifically to criminal law.

Just a WAG, but whatever "assault weapons" are out there today, would have to remain legal. The Firearms Act of 1934, which created "Class III" weapons, could probably be amended, requiring registration, etc. And good luck with that. The Feds would never be able to confiscate the weapons, because no one knows where they all are, not even a fraction of them.

The down-side to any of this type legislation, is getting it through the House of Representatives. They're not in the mood, regardless the outcry from the left, to entertain any legislation. They also have two full years for things to cool down.

There's also the cost to implement. In 1934, there were relatively few fully automatic weapons. Today, there are millions of "assault weapons" out there, both in "A4", or similar configuration, and less "menacing-looking". There are also a lot out there being used in high power rifle competition, etc.

Things to think about. Things that right now are not being looked at in all the hysteria on both sides.

First of I just want to say that I am not trying to stir up anything here, am genuinely curious. How would the American gun owners on here feel about being required to have a firearms licence before buying firearms or ammunition? By this I don't mean like a license in the UK which is quite involved to get, I mean something like an hour or two classroom instruction on basic gun safety along with a background check. If you were required to show a license then the sale could be tracked if required, and would flag up instanced of criminals or the mentally ill trying to buy firearms or ammunition. If you need a license to drive a car, then it is my feeling is that there should be something along the same lines for you to be able to buy a gun which is potentially mush more of a danger to other people. I'm assuming that there has already been much discussion about stuff like this, just curious what the opinions on it were.

More people are killed/injured in incidents involving automobiles than those involving firearms.

I imagine a lot less homicides are committed with automobiles though. The point of having to have a license would not be so much about preventing negligent deaths (although if you were required to have a couple of hours of safety instruction I can't imagine it would hurt) but more about preventing people who should not be allowed to buy guns from getting them.

We should always promote the right to bear arms everywhere and change the way anti gun advocates think with educations.

Like what?

While the facts are still coming in. She knew her son had problems. I would hope she had her guns locked up. He may have forced her, who knows? She probably believed her son wouldn't harm her. He should have been in a hospital.

I don't tell people this, but one of my older brothers is diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. (Lanza may not have been schizo, but you have got to be seriously fucked up to shoot and kill kids like that.) He doesn't live with me, so I don't have to be watchful unless he's around. But I never turn my back on him, even if he is on his meds. While he's never been violent towards any family members, but when he's off his meds he believes people are going to kill him, particularly our father. It happened to him in his late teens, early twenties like most others. He was in a care center for about seven years, now he's out on his own with his girlfriend. He was never bad enough to be put into a hospital.


body armor? I thought they were just tactical vest. Even with body armor it's still going to hurt like a bitch, unless you're the North Hollywood guys. With Aurora I don't believe someone there with a CCL would have made a difference. It was a dark and packed theater. The chances of a clear shot would have been nill. Newtown, maybe.

The biggest problem I have with an AWB is that most homicides that used a firearm are with handguns. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr...es/10tbl20.xls http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr...ables/table-20 Illinois homicide rate is actually higher I think, they don't give out complete info I guess. It's probably up there with Cali.

I have a CCL, I went through a basic safety course that was about 3 to 4 hours long. Most everything taught I already knew. I was fingerprinted which was sent to the FBI and all that good stuff. Most of the form you fill out is about the same as a 4473. I wouldn't mind a firearm licence which "I" basically consider I already have, if it done away with the NICS. I think in GA if you have CCL it bypasses the NICS.

The thing about criminals (this is the way I think anyway). They don't want to pay retail for a gun, like a law abiding citizen would. Especially if they have to dump it later on. So they either steal them or buy one that they know to be stolen. Or have their girlfriend do a straw purchase for a Hi-Point.

I have a LTCH in my state of Indiana and already that is more than enough. Another permit or piece of paper that requires the same level of background checks and another thing the government can hold over me further violates my rights. There is so much level of bureaucracy that I can take before I say enough is enough. States like Arizona where you don't need to get a permit for anything is a good thing. Why do I need to answer to someone on why I need to buy a gun for my own business, be it self defense or hunting or just shooting targets? Why do I need permission from a state that I am already paying taxes too for something that is my natural born right?

I'm ticked off everyone is spouting off solutions when we don't even know all the facts yet. After Columbine, everyone immediately blamed the NRA, but now that we know the facts, is anyone blaming the NRA? Have the cops even completed their investigation yet?

Yes there are people blaiming the NRA. They are the same people who were spouting for gun control even before the bodies of children were even cool to the touch. Gun grabbers are in a feeding frenzy and while I have tried they are not listening to reason and they are simply dismissing facts from government sources out of hand.


No the police have not finished their investigation yet. Last I heard the FBI is still trying to get data off the kids computer as he smashed the hard drives so they couldn't be read. We know what the scum did we just don't know his motive. We do know that to him...THIS WAS A RATIONAL ACT.