Gun grabbers will try anything to limit our constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. While we appear to be taking back ground lost in previous decades–usually with data to prove that new laws have done nothing to make us any safer–there are a handful of laws in place that are particularly stupid.
Today, let’s take a look at those laws and just why they need to be killed.
What this is not is an in-depth, legalese description of these laws, just a brief overview. I am not an attorney, after all.
1. The Hughes Amendment
This was something tacked on to an otherwise pro-gun bill during the Reagan Era. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the name, if you’re a gun nut, you’re familiar with the ramifications of this bit of legislation. You see, this is the reason the machine gun market is what it is. This law banned machine guns manufactured after 1986 to go to private hands.
All this law did was assign an arbitrary cut-off date that had nothing to do with anything in and of itself. There was no indication that guns manufactured after that date would be more deadly (they aren’t), nor that legally held weapons were being used in crimes (they weren’t). Instead, it was a petulant child of a politician who tried to throw in a poison pill into a pro-gun law.
And it backfired on pretty much everyone.
2. Suppressor Regulation via The National Firearms Act of 1934
Suppressors, contrary to what the gun grabbers argue, aren’t an aid to illegal activities. Instead, they’re safety devices. They protect people’s hearing when they’re firing weapons. Period.
However, in the anti-gun hysteria surrounding gangland violence during Prohibition, suppressors were seen as the Boogeyman’s favorite took of choice. After all, a suppressor would allow him to kill in absolute silence.
Unfortunately for all of us, suppressors aren’t the silencers of Hollywood. They’re not even silencers. Instead, they’re mufflers for the end of your gun so you can shoot without needing ear plugs or muffs.
Further, in the gun-restricted Utopia of Europe, many gun grabbers seek to emulate, those who are blessed to own firearms in some countries are required to use suppressors. Apparently, the one thing Europeans get right on guns are the benefits of suppressors.
3. Magazine Limits
So-called high-capacity magazines seem to be the thing most likely to send a gun grabbing politician into apoplexy. Several states have limited magazines to an arbitrary number that’s supposed to make everyone safer. The thing is, they don’t.
Why? One word: Reloading.
A speedy reload with a magazine-fed firearm can be learned in just a few minutes, thus rendering limits pointless.
Meanwhile, proponents will look at this as evidence limits shouldn’t be lifted, but that’s not how a free society works. The onus is on supporters of any law to support the law’s existence, not on ours to show it’s a burden before it’s lifted.
4. Category Bans Based On Primarily Cosmetic Features
Yes, I’m looking at you, Assault Weapon Ban and similar state laws that have been enacted since the federal version sunsetted in 2004.
Lawmakers understand that if they simply ban the AR-15, that still leaves the M&P 15 Sport 2 or any other AR-15 rifle with a different name, so they go after obvious features that will identify the weapons as so-called “assault rifles.” However, in the process, all they manage to do is attack cosmetic features that don’t have anything to do with the function of the rifle like collapsible stocks and pistol grips.
Meanwhile, crime is unaffected because, as per usual, criminals don’t really care about following the laws. The only people being inconvenienced are the law abiding gun owners.
5. Waiting Periods For Firearms Purchases
There are places in this country where you have to wait three days to purchase a gun. For this Georgia boy, it boggles the mind that you’re required to wait to pick up something you’re legally allowed to buy for no other reason other than a politician thinks it’ll do some good.
Well, it doesn’t. Career criminals don’t buy guns legally, and remarkably few people purchase firearms at a whim with the intent to kill someone. There’s no real evidence that waiting periods do anything except annoy the law abiding. Even the left-leaning Politifact acknowledges this fact, for crying out loud.
6. Bans On Hollow Point Ammunition
I’m looking at you, New Jersey.
Hollow points are the preferred ammunition for a lot of people, including most law enforcement agencies (maybe all of them?) because with the round expanding, the risk of over penetration becomes greatly reduced. That means the chance of a round going through the target and into an innocent bystander is minimized as much as possible.
Yet in New Jersey, these rounds are illegal for general carry.
Yes, people have been arrested because of it. The problem is, hollow point ammunition is actually a safety measure in a lot of ways. Due to the expansion of the round, it’s far less likely to exit the body of the target. Even if it does, however, it does so at a significantly reduced velocity, which means it’s less likely to hurt someone else.
These are what we like to call “good things.”
But New Jersey doesn’t want people to carry them. Go figure.
7. Sporting Purposes Test For Imports
While there are a lot of things to dislike about the Gun Control Act of 1968, perhaps the dumbest is the “sporting purposes” clause that bans the import of certain weapons.
With its Heller ruling, the Supreme Court found that the Second Amendment exists for the purposes of self-defense. That means trying to restrict guns to just those that meet some “sporting” standard (and it’s it amusing that competitions like 3-Gun aren’t considered “sporting” to the ATF?) may well be in violation of that standard.
Repeal that aspect of GCA-68 right away.
8. Zero-Tolerance For Gun-Shaped-Objects On School Campuses
Yes, I’m talking about stuff like Pop Tarts in the shape of guns. I’m also talking about guns depicted on t-shirts with things like American soldiers or even stormtroopers from Star Wars. Seriously, this stuff got stupid well before then.
Additionally, let’s not punish kids who wrestle guns away from armed attackers simply because they were in possession of it for a minute…in self-defense, for crying out loud.
9. 922r
For those unfamiliar with this bit of legal code, this is a section of law that pertains to the building of certain guns from imported kits. If you’re building an AK from a kit, you’re required to replace a certain number of parts from a certain list with American-made parts. If not, you’ve constructed an imported rifle and have broken the law. But replace a few parts with aftermarket goodies and suddenly you’re golden.
Were 922r about making sure American parts were going into imported products and applied to all products, I might be willing to overlook this. However, all it does is add a level of requirement on the law-abiding that’s completely unnecessary.
Then again, if you get rid of the sporting purposes limit previously mentioned, 922r becomes moot.
10. Gun Registration
There are a number of places that require lawful gun owners to register their firearms. For the life of me, I can’t understand just how anyone thinks that does anything other than exercise control over the law abiding.
Criminals do not buy guns at gun stores, register their weapons, and then go on a crime spree. They use guns purchased illegally, often stolen from people who followed the rules and registered their firearms with the state or from outside of the jurisdiction restricting these weapons.
These laws are beyond idiotic, they’re totalitarian and need to be killed. They don’t make anyone safer, and the onus is on supporters of such schemes to defend these and provide hard data that this actually makes us appreciably safer.
They can’t.
So there you have it, 10 gun laws that need to die in a fire. This is not an all inclusive list. Frankly, my complete list of gun laws to be eliminated would have just one entry: ALL OF THEM.
However, I’m realistic enough to know that’s not likely to happen any time soon, so here are some of the dumbest. Honorable mentions go to “May Issue” permit states, and the entire state of New York.
What about you? What are the dumbest gun laws you know of that need to be repealed right away?
#1: Stoner To: Deckard (#0)
I would like to be able own a full auto. I really do not see the purpose of restricting them.
Stoner posted on 2017-09-12 07:57:03 Reply Private Reply
#2: Tooconservative To: Deckard (#0)
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 08:32:25 Reply Private Reply
#3: Tooconservative To: Stoner (#1)
Meh. While I agree in principle with you, I've never really seen a good reason for civilians to own full-auto guns, even if they can afford to shoot all that ammo in a big burst.
When exactly do you expect to need full-auto in home defense or hunting wildlife?
Full-auto is a way to stop a full frontal assault when outnumbered by your enemy. You just don't see it that often in civilian life here in America.
So full-auto would be way down my list of gun laws to repeal. I'd take all 10 of Deckard's first, starting with suppressors.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 08:35:29 Reply Private Reply
#4: sneakypete To: Deckard (#0)
Wrong. It guaranteed that only the wealthy and their bodyguards could afford to buy one. Stuff like M3 greaseguns from the WW-2/Korean War era were going for around 450 before this,and shot up to over 2 grand withing weeks as people realized that one HUGE effect of the law was that no "new" machine guns would be allowed to come into the country,and as the ones already in private hands wore out there would be no replacements.
I haven't paid any attention to this market in over 20 years,but it wouldn't surprise me now if stuff like simple M3's in good condition were selling for more than 10 grand due to the ones in existence when the law was passed becoming worn out or damaged,or people who inherit existing legal ones turning them over to the BATF for a tax break for destruction because they either can't afford the exorbitant fees to be able to obtain the necessary license to keep it,or they just don't want it and do want a tax write-off.
Meanwhile,if you are someone on a trust fund,like ALL of the Kennedy's,your trust fund is bound to own part of an business/corporation that would still be allowed to import things like UZI's. Corporations have rights that citizens don't have anymore,despite being "legal people" so the corporations can be sued for wrongdoing,but not the people that own and run them.
sneakypete posted on 2017-09-12 08:41:53 Reply Private Reply
#5: Willie Green To: Tooconservative (#3)
I don't see much need for semi-auto, either... at least not for rifles... Bolt action is usually considered to be more accurate, anyway... So I wouldn't object to tighter controls over semi-auto rifles in exchange for relaxation of other regulations. (Never thought about it much, but silencers/suppressors for better hearing protection sounds like a good idea)
Semi-auto shotguns are OK for trap, skeet & hunting purposes... And naturally, semi-auto pistols have legitimate civilian self-defense purposes (But I'd ban so-called "pistols" that utilize center-fire rifle cartridges)
Willie Green posted on 2017-09-12 09:41:42 Reply Private Reply
#6: Stoner To: Tooconservative (#3)
Need has nothing to do with it !! I just would like to have one ! I got my first taste of full auto in the military, and loved it !!
I have some nice trap / skeet guns, nice long range rifles, etc. I really do not NEED them, but again, NEED has nothing to do with it
When you start using the word NEED, you are falling into a liberal gun grabber trap.
BTW, If you own a Corvette, or a Shelby Mustang, or some other hot car, do you NEED a car that can go 0 to 60 so quick, or go over 150 mph ? Hmmmmmm ?
Get it ?
Stoner posted on 2017-09-12 10:12:27 Reply Private Reply
#7: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#2)
Yeah. 10 down and 19,990 to go.
Though I can't see what more gun owners would want after these ten. Legalize machine guns, suppressors, unlimited magazine size (belt-fed?), no waiting period, no registration. Wow! A gun nut's wet dream right there.
What are you thinking -- grenade launchers, rocket launchers, mortars? Maybe something bigger for the average homeowner wanting something for self defense?
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 10:15:00 Reply Private Reply
#8: misterwhite To: Stoner (#1)
My sons went to a range in Florida where different long guns were available for shooting. Everything from sniper rifles to a .50 BMG to a M249 SAW and an M240.
They had a blast. People don't need machine guns. Neither do they need a Ferrari. They simply want them.
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 10:29:20 Reply Private Reply
#9: Stoner To: misterwhite (#7)
Personally, not to be too extravagant, I would like to mount a 30mm GAU-8 Avenger or, at least a Quad 50 on my front porch, aimed down the driveway. lol
Just in case, donncha know, lol
Stoner posted on 2017-09-12 10:32:53 Reply Private Reply
#10: Stoner To: misterwhite (#8)
Yep. I really enjoyed shooting them when Uncle Sam paid for the ammo !!
Look up " Knob Creek Shoot ". It is held twice a year, south of Louisville Ky, north of Fort Knox. It is a big machine gun shoot. One hell of a show. And you can rent full auto's also. It is also a huge gun show with hundreds of vendors / dealers / manufacturers. Usually week ends affairs.
They have a web site: http://www.knobcreekrange.com/
There is also a Bourbon called Knob Creek ( very enjoyable also ). Not the same people
You & your sons would really enjoy it ! ( The gun show ) The next one is Oct 13, 14, 15. Then the next one will be in April
I guarantee you all will enjoy it !!! :)
Stoner posted on 2017-09-12 10:50:56 Reply Private Reply
#11: Tooconservative To: Stoner (#6)
Okay. You're into the whole Rambo scene. I've shot full-auto before and it is fun even if it is a huge waste of ammo IMO.
OTOH, semi-auto is plenty destructive if some nutjob decides to go postal in a school or church or post office.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 11:44:47 Reply Private Reply
#12: Tooconservative To: misterwhite (#7)
I think any American has the Second Amendment right to use nuclear weapons in home defense.
Does that make me a bad person? : )
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 11:46:51 Reply Private Reply
#13: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#12)
Nah. It just puts you in the same group as those who think all drugs should be legal and available at the 7-11. And all gambling. All porn. Prostitution.
Freedom! Liberty! We demand the right to be immoral, irresponsible, selfish, reckless, anti-social, and narcissistic. Power to the people!
(Note: But if we need help, the rest of you must be responsible and not do these things so we have someone we can count on.)
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 12:49:53 Reply Private Reply
#14: Tooconservative To: misterwhite (#13)
You remind of some years back, some lib wannabe made some sarcastic remark online about stores in redneck America selling guns and ammo and liquor from the same shelf.
So I posted a picture from a very small local liquor store that sold guns and ammo and liquor from the same shelf. Pretty funny.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 13:11:09 Reply Private Reply
#15: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#14)
I shudder to think what would be on those shelves if you had your way.
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 13:51:34 Reply Private Reply
#16: Tooconservative To: misterwhite (#15)
Yeah, I'm a real libertarian bad guy, the Terror Of The Swamplands.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 14:14:25 Reply Private Reply
#17: Stoner To: misterwhite (#15)
BTW, last time I went to Knob Creek, there was a guy there that had one for sale. It was a damn good movie prop. Looked like it had been used in the movie. I thought about it for my son, but I just could not bring myself to pay $150.00 for a toy, plastic. Even if it did look good. Now, kinda wish I had. My son would have liked it.
Stoner posted on 2017-09-12 14:20:31 Reply Private Reply
#18: misterwhite To: Stoner (#17)
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 15:43:00 Reply Private Reply
#19: misterwhite To: Stoner (#17)
Airsoft has one. About twice the price.
misterwhite posted on 2017-09-12 15:44:52 Reply Private Reply
#20: Hank Rearden To: Deckard (#0)
That greedy, corrupt democRat shithole can pass all the idiot laws it wants; I wouldn't even fly over the damn thing given a choice - it stinks 7 miles up.
Hank Rearden posted on 2017-09-12 23:43:33 Reply Private Reply
#21: Hank Rearden To: misterwhite (#13)
"Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms" should be the name of a convenience-store chain, not a bullshit Big Stupid Government fraud hangout for assholes.
Hank Rearden posted on 2017-09-12 23:46:12 Reply Private Reply
#22: buckeroo To: Hank Rearden (#20)
Yes, I worked the US Army: USACEEIA goals were from when I was a kid. My Mom will vouch for me.
buckeroo posted on 2017-09-12 23:50:23 Reply Private Reply
#23: Tooconservative To: Hank Rearden (#20)
A worthless shithole. The most un-American of all 50 states. It's incorrigible.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-13 00:26:38 Reply Private Reply
#24: ironalek To: misterwhite (#13)
Or, the rest of you have to keep working to pay for our mistakes and recovery from drugs and bad choices.
ironalek posted on 2017-09-13 07:42:20 Reply Private Reply
#25: Stoner To: Hank Rearden (#21)
LOL !!!
Stoner posted on 2017-09-13 09:19:25 Reply Private Reply