Assault weapons ban sought

[Geezah]

Mayor joins sponsor of bill in speaking out for gun control

Mayor Martin O'Malley urged state legislators yesterday to ban assault weapons, something the General Assembly has shied away from for three years running.

O'Malley and the bill's sponsor, Del. Neil F. Quinter, a Howard County Democrat, said at an Annapolis news conference that banning the high-powered guns would make Maryland safer.

"This isn't about hunting," said O'Malley, a Democratic candidate for governor. "This is about removing high-powered assault weapons from the hands of those who would use them."

O'Malley, Quinter and gun-control advocates blamed Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. for blocking their previous efforts.

"It's really time for Governor Ehrlich to stop defying the will of the people," Quinter said. "And if Governor Ehrlich doesn't do it, we need a new governor who will."

Ehrlich, who has been largely silent on assault weapons, has no public position on the issue, his spokeswoman said yesterday.

"This is more election-year politics from the leader of the second-most-violent city in the nation," spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver said. "The mayor's vigilance should begin at home."

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, who is opposing O'Malley for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and is a longtime supporter of tougher gun laws, was angry that he was not invited to the event.

"Doug Duncan has been on the front lines of banning assault weapons for years. He's put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the effort to getting it passed," said his spokesman, David Weaver, scolding Duncan's rivals for what he called politicizing the issue. "That's OK if all you're doing is a publicity stunt. But don't try to fool victims of gun violence that you're actually trying to do something to help them."

A federal ban on assault weapons expired in 2004. That year, some in Maryland's General Assembly tried to pass a gun-control law to take its place.

The legislation died in a Senate committee.

Some say this year's bill faces an equally rocky ride.

Sen. Robert J. Garagiola, a Montgomery County Democrat who sponsored the 2004 Senate bill, said yesterday that nothing has changed since last year, when a similar bill introduced by Quinter failed. That why he is not sponsoring it again, Garagiola said.

Instead, he is backing a bill that would set minimum sentences for those who use assault weapons to commit crimes.

"I'm one who wants to get things done, so I'm pursuing other things to improve public safety," Garagiola said. "Why keep spinning your wheels on something that doesn't have a chance at success?"

Baltimore Police Chief Leonard D. Hamm said at yesterday's event that police seized 22 assault weapons last year while collecting 4,500 other guns.

"That may not sound like much, but if you've ever seen one of these things in person, they're absolutely frightening," Hamm said.

Del. Anthony G. Brown, O'Malley's running mate, called on the governor to "lay down his tools of obstruction on this issue and let this bill come out of the House of Delegates."

"Assault weapons have one purpose and one purpose only: That is to kill human beings," said Brown, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve who said he had experience with such weapons in Iraq.

"If you want to fire an assault weapon, do what so many patriotic Americans do: Join the armed forces."

Link (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/bal-md.assault10feb10,0,3423081.story)

Amazing, so people could use them, they are scary to look at and they seized 22(so called) ASSault Weapons last year. It's a shame they can't go into detail????!!!

Oh, and if you want to fire an ASSault Weapon, you need to join the Military, so my dreams of shooting semi-automatic rifles and shotguns and pistols with a mag capacity of more than 10rnds will come alive.........frickin arsehat!

[ed316]

I bet handguns are use in crime more then assault weapons. the people who want them ban don't know jack about weapons, period.

[Zoomie]

And of course if this thing passes, the criminals will know their crime sprees with ASSault Rifles are over, and will end up turning in all their ASSault Rifles in, because as we all know, criminals obey the law!

[joe mama]

I'd love to show ANYONE who thinks the 94 assault weapons ban should have been extended and/or thinks states should enact their own bans that mirror it (which is, typically, what these people want) to take a good long look at my M4gery and my AKclone, both COMPLETELY legal under the ban (since I'm stuck in MA, we still have the ban), and both only missing features that have NO EFFECT on their firepower.

[cbreedon]

I'd love to show ANYONE who thinks the 94 assault weapons ban should have been extended and/or thinks states should enact their own bans that mirror it (which is, typically, what these people want) to take a good long look at my M4gery and my AKclone, both COMPLETELY legal under the ban (since I'm stuck in MA, we still have the ban), and both only missing features that have NO EFFECT on their firepower.

What about the FEARpower of the evil bayonet lug and collapsable stock?!?!?

[Hydro]

There's the use of the term "high powered" again. I'm sure that term is grossly misused when referring to firearms. I'm sure that M4 "assault weapon" is much more "high powered" than that K98. Even though you'd have to be the God of all shooting to knock somone down at 1,000 yards with an M4, something that's well within the K98's limits.

[Geezah]

There's the use of the term "high powered" again. I'm sure that term is grossly misused when referring to firearms. I'm sure that M4 "assault weapon" is much more "high powered" than that K98. Even though you'd have to be the God of all shooting to knock somone down at 1,000 yards with an M4, something that's well within the K98's limits.

Scare tactics at their best, throw all these scary words out there and there you have it, the sheeple are a-feared.

From a Police Chief, so they must be scary??


"That may not sound like much, but if you've ever seen one of these things in person, they're absolutely frightening,"

[Hydro]

I've seen a few weapons in person, rather nasty ones too, and they weren't that scary. Now they were terrifying in the hands of a few individuals, but that was mainly incompetence :)

[pathfinder82]

There's the use of the term "high powered" again. I'm sure that term is grossly misused when referring to firearms. I'm sure that M4 "assault weapon" is much more "high powered" than that K98. Even though you'd have to be the God of all shooting to knock somone down at 1,000 yards with an M4, something that's well within the K98's limits.


ah yes lets quibble about the terms we use now. They are reffering to the fact you can rip off 30 rounds before you can get off 4-5 with a k98.

Again I invite any one of you to come for a ride with me if you ever make it to Chicago. It still wont give you an idea of what its like to be the first throught the door of a shady place with connections to moving and holding automatic weapons.

Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Bugger it I cant resists.

Why don't they just say "No weapon is allowed to resemble a weapon that could commonly be found in a nations armoury"

?

Makes more sense then trying to determine whats an assault rifle.

[FallenAngel]

Bugger it I cant resists.

Why don't they just say "No weapon is allowed to resemble a weapon that could commonly be found in a nations armoury"

?

Makes more sense then trying to determine whats an assault rifle.

Because the whole point of the 2nd Amendment was to give the people the means to keep the government in check, by force if necessary ;)

That plus the nation's armoury has things like 7.62 bolt action rifles, tens of thousands of which are used by hunters.

[ed316]

ah yes lets quibble about the terms we use now. They are reffering to the fact you can rip off 30 rounds before you can get off 4-5 with a k98.

Again I invite any one of you to come for a ride with me if you ever make it to Chicago. It still wont give you an idea of what its like to be the first throught the door of a shady place with connections to moving and holding automatic weapons.

Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.

Here we go with the Chicago thing again. If I go on a ride with you are you going to show me where the .50 cals were shot from? Like I said before criminals don't go buy guns at the gun stores to commit crime. Scare mongering on your part, bud.

[wiking]

Bugger it I cant resists.

Why don't they just say "No weapon is allowed to resemble a weapon that could commonly be found in a nations armoury"

?

Makes more sense then trying to determine whats an assault rifle.

Paint every gun pink :)

But it wouldn't work, even here in Norway you can own a Bushmaster or other AR15 semi's for use in various competitions, and i asume it's the same in the US (plus fun and home defence). To make such weapons illegal would be a right b*tch for those who practice those hobbys, and then there's this.

M24 sniper rifle is a bolt action rifle. So someone bends the sounding of the law and bob's yer uncle, bolt actions are illegal. Shotguns are used, damn there went your 870 pump action atleast. Better get a double barrel shotgun for the bird hunting season.

oh, you want a Glock\Beretta\Sig\USP\any other pistol. Sorry, used by the armed forces. Not legal. Any atempt at compromise with fanatics like these, and the use of such a scetchy term as "Assault Weapons" (it's a made-up name that can be used on any weapon in the world, mostly military rifles and whatever gun was the last used in a murder) in a law is stupidity.

[Geezah]

ah yes lets quibble about the terms we use now. They are reffering to the fact you can rip off 30 rounds before you can get off 4-5 with a k98.

That's right because the AWB was such a success, it banned features on firearms, cosmectic features and how many Assault Weapons were used during the ban????
Probably just as many as after.

Ohhhhh......arrrrrrrr......look at the scary featured rifle..



Again I invite any one of you to come for a ride with me if you ever make it to Chicago. It still wont give you an idea of what its like to be the first throught the door of a shady place with connections to moving and holding automatic weapons.

JUst what are you talking about semi-automatic firrearms or select fire/full auto, because the proposed ban they are talking about is to ban semi-auto?



Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.

And while we have asked that you give us guys a clue, you instead chose to ignore the request?

[Mastermind]

We just had a police officer killed and several others scared s++tless in two separate AK-47 incidents. IN the one where the cop was killed, the guy went inside the house and waited for a cop to walk up the entry way...after the guy finished firing over fifty rounds, the police sniper finaly scored on a blind shot inot the house. The neighbor houses looked like blocks of Swiss Cheese. So, I fully expect an assault on assault weapons here in the near future. My long guns could all be classified as assault weapons...expecially my AK.

[Geezah]

Why are we not seeing these stories in the news, as far left as the majority of the media falls, these should make national news headlines??

[mi35d]

Again I invite any one of you to come for a ride with me if you ever make it to Chicago. It still wont give you an idea of what its like to be the first throught the door of a shady place with connections to moving and holding automatic weapons.

Again, you mention weapons that for the most part are already illegal for the public to own.

The point that was being made can be pointed out with two criminal examples:

Bank robbery in LA: Two drugged up criminals with ILLEGAL automatic weapons fire several THOUSAND rounds and manage to only wound less than a dozen police and bystanders.

Meanwhile, a guy with legal bolt action rifles from a tower in Texas (Charles Witman, 1966) kills 14 civilians and wounds several dozen more.

Two seperate occasions two different outcomes. Which weapons should be considered deadlier?

[Mastermind]

Great points!

[Zoomie]

Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.
Ah yes, but you clearly do know that all criminals obey the law.:roll:

[Mastermind]

Look what the cops and the NG did to law abiding citizens in NO...the law had abandoned the citizens..the only safe citizens were the well armed ones...then the "invading" rescuers snatched legally possed and used weapons from the citizens ...then LEFT them alone again unarmed! Remember the old lady they gang tackled because she would not give up her pistol???? Lesson: In a disaster, keep yer distance from the rescuers....they just might kill ya.

[MakeWar87]

"It's really time for Governor Ehrlich to stop defying the will of the people," Quinter said. "And if Governor Ehrlich doesn't do it, we need a new governor who will."

That doesnt sound like a political rally rant why the fu** would you ban assult rifles when handguns are in more crimes than any other weapon. Kids are carrying handguns and nobody gives a fu** but respectable assult rifle owners are under heat from politics HA that some funny sh**. Its probably more like I got a huge donation from a group that opposes gun posssesion and now I gotta make it part of my campaign

[Laconian]

This is another feel good attempt by legislators to show they are tough on something that has enough laws associated with it anyway. The "these are scary" line from the Baltimurder Chief of Police was pathetic.

Pathfinder, I know what its like to hunt bad guys who have guns guns. As a matter of fact, the more guns they have the more I like it. Chicago has some very strict gun laws, no? Yet, bad guys still have guns. So, then what we must need is another gun law for the bad guys to ignore.

No, what we need is a CJ system that deals with bad guys and violence the way it should, "to serve" sentences and no parole, probation or pre-trial bond for any crime involving f/a's, violence or the threat of violence; not the revolving door that exists in places like Chicago & Baltimore

[Durandal]

I bet handguns are use in crime more then assault weapons. the people who want them ban don't know jack about weapons, period.

Give the man a prize!

You are correct.

Pistols are used most often.

Then shotguns.

The semi-automatic rifles they want to ban are rarely used in crimes in comparison.

[LaoSexMachine]

I don't understand the anti-gun people. If you ban guns human beings will find other ways to hurt one another.

[Oddbod]

Bugger it I cant resists.

Why don't they just say "No weapon is allowed to resemble a weapon that could commonly be found in a nations armoury"

?

Makes more sense then trying to determine whats an assault rifle.

Hey Minardiau:

Are you feeling OK:-))

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Feeling much better about this section then I was last week.

But I do have a point.

It's when you try to determine what is and whats not a assault weapon that causes problems.

So

Just say if it looks like something that is commonly seen or used by the armed forces of a nation then it's banned.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

I'm not saying this ban is good nor am I saying it's bad either.

Anti-gun nuts have lost the plot IMO.

And this is from someone who favours controls.

:)

[Durandal]

It's when you try to determine what is and whats not a assault weapon that causes problems.

If its not a military weapon capable of select/autmatic fire, then its not an Assault Weapon. Then its covered under NFA.

Problem solved. :)

[Mastermind]

Well, what ever they ban, I can assure you the law abiding citizenry will abide by the law...the criminal will do what criminals do...they will ignore the law. Why ban a gun in order to stop murder...isn't murder already illegal? What possibly could make any thinking person belive that someone willing to break the law to commit a capital crime like murder will hesitate at possessing any kind of gun illegally? This kind of thinking is what ruins a nation.

[ArmyJonHall]

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. For instance, I've seen videos of a shoot where a civilian owned GAU-12 minigun was mounted on a Huey and fired at cars on the ground. Apart from the fun aspect of it, what possible reason could a private citizen justify owning a weapon like that? The 'But I use it to keep the government in check' call is bull****. The same goes for a .50 sniper rifle. What the **** do you hunt where you NEED a .50? An elephant, sure, but there aren't too many wild elephants to hunt in the US.

Assualt rifles, well, they're always going to fall into criminal hands one way or another, be it from being stolen, illegally imported into the country or manufactured themselves. Banning them is just going increase how much they cost on the street. To be honest, I think the whole firearms issue is being used a distraction from other issues such as the rising illiteracy rate or the drug situation.

[Mastermind]

I used to think that way...I can't stop the Gvt no matter what..they've got me out numbered and out gunned cause they can spend a lot more on guns than I ever will be able to...by a way long shot. but, after Ruby Ridge and Waco...and now New Orleana - where the cops abandoned their duty and left the citizens fending for themselves in a rotting hell hole full of well armed drug addicts, I dunno. If more citizens voted and stood up to these jerks we have ruining our country now, we might not feel so threateend. Our southern borders are wide open and not one politician who even wants to recognize that as a problem, we have ten million plus Muslims who believe in a system of insantiy where their God tells them to kill infidels like me, we have rogue cops who like to crash your house with fake warrants...we have neighborhoods where no one even talks to their neighbors and we live in a nation that is so in debt it might never be able to avoid national bank ruptcy...we have become so dependant on foreign energy sources we might just as well sign over the congress and the whitehouse to Arabs...or Iranians who, again believe in a religion that orders them to kill infidels like me...and then everyone wonders why I'm friggin armed to the teeth....well...DUH!

[MakeWar87]

I bet this is sitting great with the NRA

[East Scout]

ah yes lets quibble about the terms we use now. They are reffering to the fact you can rip off 30 rounds before you can get off 4-5 with a k98.

Again I invite any one of you to come for a ride with me if you ever make it to Chicago. It still wont give you an idea of what its like to be the first throught the door of a shady place with connections to moving and holding automatic weapons.

Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.

You're spouting pure emotion....Why do they have the weapons? Because they are criminals! Whats the purpose? To protect thier drugs and thugs from cops and other criminals..Guns dont shoot them selves off..Its takes the criminal behind the trigger. Remove his motivation or remove the criminal..If they didnt have firearms they would Molitov your butts or use what ever else they needed...My point is they GOV needs LAWS to control the POSs that commit gun crimes....You're the one that has no clue...Less emotion...more reality and clear thoughts.

[oregongrunt]

How many people rob liquor stores with automatic weapons?

[Durandal]

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. For instance, I've seen videos of a shoot where a civilian owned GAU-12 minigun was mounted on a Huey and fired at cars on the ground. Apart from the fun aspect of it, what possible reason could a private citizen justify owning a weapon like that? The 'But I use it to keep the government in check' call is bull****. The same goes for a .50 sniper rifle. What the **** do you hunt where you NEED a .50? An elephant, sure, but there aren't too many wild elephants to hunt in the US.

Assualt rifles, well, they're always going to fall into criminal hands one way or another, be it from being stolen, illegally imported into the country or manufactured themselves. Banning them is just going increase how much they cost on the street. To be honest, I think the whole firearms issue is being used a distraction from other issues such as the rising illiteracy rate or the drug situation.

First of all the mini-gun you are talking about was a controlled item that is not available for sale to anyone but law enforcement or the military. It was being used byt he owner of the company that manufacturers it in a bit he did with (Help me out here folks...who's the motorcycle guy). Anyways, the gun you saw in that video? It CANNOT be legally owned by a civvy.

There are over 15 THOUSAND people in this country that competitively shoot .50 BMG. More than that who own weapons that shoot .50 BMG. I like it. I love it actually AND have the land to shoot one on and regularly have guys that do.

I cannot FATHOM why we need to waste water, pollute run off, and control millions of acres of good land just so people can hit a white ball around the grass field. They certainly have no RIGHT to participate in the activity. Its certainly not a necessary component for life. If the ONLY reason is FUN, then that's the only reason. However, there are lots of reasons WHY someone might own these weapons. Its not up to you to agree with them.

[perdurabo]

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. For instance, I've seen videos of a shoot where a civilian owned GAU-12 minigun was mounted on a Huey and fired at cars on the ground. Apart from the fun aspect of it, what possible reason could a private citizen justify owning a weapon like that? The 'But I use it to keep the government in check' call is bull****. The same goes for a .50 sniper rifle. What the **** do you hunt where you NEED a .50? An elephant, sure, but there aren't too many wild elephants to hunt in the US.

Assualt rifles, well, they're always going to fall into criminal hands one way or another, be it from being stolen, illegally imported into the country or manufactured themselves. Banning them is just going increase how much they cost on the street. To be honest, I think the whole firearms issue is being used a distraction from other issues such as the rising illiteracy rate or the drug situation.
how often .50cal where used in crimes? how othen GAU was used by criminals? small pistols are much much more often even shootguns are more often used in crimes so witch is more dengarous? small pistol in hands of criminal or bigass highpriced licensed gun in hands of hobbyst?

Geezah do you have statistics about what wepons are moustly used by criminals?

[East Scout]

Geezah do you have statistics about what wepons are moustly used by criminals?

HAHA Watch a few rap videos......

[Geezah]

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. For instance, I've seen videos of a shoot where a civilian owned GAU-12 minigun was mounted on a Huey and fired at cars on the ground. Apart from the fun aspect of it, what possible reason could a private citizen justify owning a weapon like that? The 'But I use it to keep the government in check' call is bull****. The same goes for a .50 sniper rifle. What the **** do you hunt where you NEED a .50? An elephant, sure, but there aren't too many wild elephants to hunt in the US.

Assualt rifles, well, they're always going to fall into criminal hands one way or another, be it from being stolen, illegally imported into the country or manufactured themselves. Banning them is just going increase how much they cost on the street. To be honest, I think the whole firearms issue is being used a distraction from other issues such as the rising illiteracy rate or the drug situation.

Amazing how those that want to see us disarmed always play the NEED card, has nothign at all to do with NEED, I own semi-automatic rifles that cosmeticly(sp?) resemble Military Rifles because I WANT to.

And the Minigun was on Monster Garage with Jesse James.

[Durandal]

Its so easy to talk in your guys positions, you have no clue whatsoever.

Your opinion is contrary to every police officer I know. We are also not discussing whether criminals should be allowed to own guns. They should not and I recall...still cannot.

Yet, you continue this line of argument.

I do in fact, understand YOUR situation quite well, but lets be honest, you face the same situation regardless of wether Geezah or I own an AR-17. That is what we are discussing.

[Mastermind]

YES! Most cops I know appreciate that I have powerful weapons and that other law abiding types have them. One friend of mine has a full auto AR-15 (licensed and legal) ex SF retired..the cops are always calling on that guy for special weapons lessons and tactics classes...he is a civilian!

[wiking]

Amazing how those that want to see us disarmed always play the NEED card, has nothign at all to do with NEED, I own semi-automatic rifles that cosmeticly(sp?) resemble Military Rifles because I WANT to.

And the Minigun was on Monster Garage with Jesse James.

Think they've had one or two at Knob Creek too.