Is Battle Brewing Over Magazines
We’re likely to hear a lot about magazines in the coming months, not of the print variety of course, but of those for firearms that can hold more than 10 rounds – the so-called large-capacity ammunition magazines.
Since the tragic shooting in Tucson this past January, there have been renewed calls to “ban” any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds.
The NRA has issued a response:
“Despite the burdens it would put on honest Americans, Rep. McCarthy’s bill wouldn’t stop a criminal from obtaining magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
“Tens of millions of Americans own countless tens of millions of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds; even Rep. McCarthy admits that confiscation of existing magazines would be impossible. Anything that common can be stolen or bought on the black market. And even if no magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds were available, a criminal could still use multiple smaller magazines, multiple firearms, more powerful handguns, or weapons other than firearms.”
We agree completely. The ban would be impossible to enforce, and would only make criminals of law abiding citizens. But maybe that’s part of the agenda of the anti-gun crowd.
Paul Helmke: How Many Lives the Brady’s Saved
In a column for Huffington Post, titled “Jim and Sarah Brady: We’ll Never Know How Many Lives They Saved,” Paul Helmke tries to suggest all the ways that anti-gun efforts of saved lives. Of course, we think people like Otis McDonald of Chicago, whose home was broken into many times might disagree.
But the debate aside, we suggest Helmke fact check before he makes some statements. Helmke writes:
“From outlawing armor-piercing ‘cop-killer’ bullets to banning metal-detector-evading ‘plastic’ guns; from their support of laws to limit illegal gun trafficking and curtail corrupt gun dealers…”
There really is no such thing as a metal-detector-evading ‘plastic’ gun. Even if such guns were to exist, they wouldn’t be sold at gun shows, and more importantly the bullets would still set off the alarms!
Also, we note the mention of “corrupt gun deals” and gun trafficking, but no mention is made of the recent ATF debacle that has allowed thousands of guns to walk to Mexico.
Helmke notes the Tucson shooting as well:
“The shooter was armed with large-capacity assault clip that allowed him to shoot 32 bullets in just under 16 seconds.”
What again is an “assault clip?” This is not a term that has ever been used to describe the high capacity magazines. Helmke seems to have coined a term, just for the purpose of banning it!
Finally, he calls for new laws that would make it harder for law-abiding citizens to buy firearms:
“The passage of sensible new guns laws making it hard for dangerous and irresponsible people to get guns would be a tribute worthy of these special Americans, who have given this nation their all.”
The laws would make it hard for law-abiding citizens to buy and sell guns. It would raise the cost, result in a national data base of guns, something that would no doubt be a concern to those who suddenly are tracked yet never did anything wrong. In other words, it could turn law-abiding citizens into criminals, thus making it hard for them to own guns.
And would it really save any lives?
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance: Bullet Bill Forces Gun Registration on New Yorkers
From the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance:
A bill introduced this week in New York would require sportsmen and gun owners to register their firearms when purchasing “bullets.”
Senate Bill 4152, introduced by Senator Malcolm A. Smith, would require sportsmen and gun owners to provide their full name, date of birth, and address as well as the make, model, caliber and serial number of their firearm on an “application” prior to purchasing “bullets.”
The bill uses the generic term “bullets” in place of a more accurate description of the types of ammunition it seeks to restrict. It is unclear what types of ammunition would be classified as “bullets” under this bill.
Furthermore, the “application” requirement seems to set up a dangerous scenario where you would be required to register a firearm owned by someone else under your own name if you simply borrowed the firearm for a hunting trip or day at the range and needed to buy “bullets.”
“The proponents may term this an application to purchase ammo, but gun owners know full well that this is nothing more than a poorly disguised attempt to force gun registration upon law-abiding New Yorkers,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA director of state services.
“This bill starts out bad and just gets worse as it goes along. New York sportsmen and gun owners alike should contact their state senators today in opposition to this measure.”
The bill would also ban anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing “bullets” and would require that purchasers show two forms of identification. Additionally, the bill requires that the copies of the “application” to be submitted to all law enforcement agencies across the state. Not only is this unnecessary, it puts gun owner’s private information at risk of being lost or stolen.
Take Action! New York sportsmen are encouraged to contact their state senator’s today in opposition to Senate Bill 4152. To find your state senator’s contact information, please visit the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.
About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.
Video: The Idiocy of Legislatively Reduced Magazine Capacity
Perhaps this video explains it best.
Gothamist Claims “State Senator Stocks up on Illegal Ammo”
Another week, another uncover sting. This week New York State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) went undercover to buy up some 30-round magazines, which is reportedly illegal in New York State reports Gothamist.com. A couple of things are interesting.
First, the news site’s headline: “Video: Brooklyn State Senator Stocks Up on Illegal Ammo.” What exactly is illegal about the ammo? Maybe a nitpick but anytime the media makes this big a gaffe makes us wonder if we can actually trust them with the rest of the facts.
The second issue is that the story notes, as has been noted, only post-1994 magazines are actually banned for sale. So clips or magazines made prior to that time are legal. Millions, if not tens of millions, of 30-round magazines have been made for the AK-47 alone. So how do you account for all those out there now?
Adams wants to ban the magazines entirely, but the question becomes whether those in private hands would remain “legal” or would have to be turned in. The latter seems to be a direct confrontation with the Second Amendment, not to mention other property rights.
NRA: Another Anti-Gun Bill Introduced in New Jersey
Assembly Bill 3807, sponsored by Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-6) and Assemblyman Annette Quijano (D-20), has been introduced in the New Jersey Assembly.
If passed, A3807 would reduce the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds from 15.
This legislation is an example of yet another attempt to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens, while doing nothing to actually combat crime.
As of now, the language for the bill has not been released and a hearing has not been scheduled, but the NRA will continue to update you on the status of the legislation as it progresses through the New Jersey General Assembly.
So, please continue to check AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and www.NRAILA.org for updates.
About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org
Spero News Offers “Truth and Myths” About Guns Headed to Mexico
This week Scott Stewart, writing for Spero News offered some interesting insight into myths about the arms trade to Mexico, and shed some light on the truths. In his piece, he looks at the numbers – including the dubious 90 percent that we’ve been covering.
He notes:
“The 90 percent number was derived from a June 2009 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress on U.S. efforts to combat arms trafficking to Mexico.”
Unlike most outlets, Stewart doesn’t leave it at that, following up with this insight:
“Almost 90 percent of the guns seized in Mexico in 2008 were not traced back to the United States.”
He cites various factors, but notes that the numbers don’t add up. Thus, unlike most of the mainstream media, he sees that there is no way that 90 percent of guns could possibly come from the United States. Read more
President Pressured to Support Gun Control
In the wake of the Tucson shooting, gun control advocates are exploiting the tragedy and pressuring President Obama to support new firearms restrictions. Several members of congress, as well as liberal groups, are publically (and probably privately) pressuring Obama to swing their way. This comes at a time when the President is moving his political agenda more towards the center as the 2012 election approaches.
A bill proposed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) would make it illegal to sell large-capacity ammunition magazines, similar to the one used in the Tucson shooting. Even former Republican Vice President Richard Cheney said in a recent interview with NBC that “maybe it’s appropriate” to limit magazine size.
Before becoming President, Obama supported most gun control laws, including the renewal of the ban on semiautomatic assault rifles. The administration isn’t giving up much information on the issue, only saying it is looking at different proposals.
Don’t be surprised if the President brings up the issue in next week’s State of the Union address.
Cert For Arrested Stranded Traveler Considered This Week
Being stranded at an airport for even a few hours is an inconvenience many American travelers have to endure. But in 2005, Greg Revell was stranded for 4 days because he was traveling with an unloaded firearm from Utah to Pennsylvania, with a connecting flight in New Jersey. 3 of those days were spent in various jails in New Jersey.
Revell checked his Utah-licensed gun and ammunition with his luggage in Salt Lake City and asked airport officials to deliver them both with his luggage in Allentown. The unloaded firearm was contained in a locked hard case and the ammunition in a separate locked hard case. An orange declaration travel tag was place with the gun.
His Newark flight landed late and Revell missed the connecting flight to Allentown, PA. The airline charted a bus to Allentown but Revell’s luggage had been mistakenly marked with Newark as the final destination. He gathered his luggage, including the firearm and ammunition, and spent the night in a hotel waiting for the next flight to Allentown. Read more
Sponsor Special: ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas so get a Machine Gun
‘Twas the week before Christmas with gifts to be got
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It was a vintage weapon, a big Browning Gun
While it won’t really fire, it still is great fun
Used by our army, we showed we had fight
Merry Christmas Dear Shoppers, and have a good night
Original Item: Our best 1919A4 display gun ever. We have very few of these. The Browning 1919A4 was the definitive U.S. MG of WWII. The M1919 Browning is a .30 caliber medium machine gun that was widely used during the 20th century. The U.S. and many other countries used it as a light infantry, coaxial, mounted, aircraft, and anti-aircraft machine gun, especially during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Although it began to be superseded by newer designs in the later half of the century (such as by the M60 machine gun), it remained in use in many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and elsewhere for much longer. It is very similar in design to the larger .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Machine Gun, the “Ma Deuce”, which is also a Browning-designed weapon and is still in NATO service.
IMA is proud to offer a totally non-firing BATF approved display machine gun built from WWII era parts and constructed with precision detail. The top cover opens, the bolt moves, most of the original markings remain, this is easily the best display 1919A4 on the market today, if not the only. We also include an all steel new made M2 Tripod with pintle and 100 rounds of .30 ball cartridges in a disintegrating belt to complete your display.
These will not remain in stock for long; this is your final opportunity to own America’s most famous WW2 Medium Machine Gun.
U.S. WWII Browning .30 Caliber 1919A4 Display Machine Gun with Tripod & Inert Ammo
