Did he call them "scary looking" or did you, and then quote yourself in a way that made it appear that was the term he used?
I did not "quote myself" or "made it appear that was the term β used". It was scare quotes, used to signify that I do not really believe they are any more scary looking than any other guns.
The AR-15 is one of the most popular weapons of its type in America,
So ban it because it's popular?
and is frequently used by mass murderers and domestic terrorists.
Again, murders by any type of rifle (including non-military looking semiautomatic rifles and other types of rifles such as bolt-action) is dwarfed by the number of murders committed with handguns.
The AK-47 and its variants is the most popular weapon of its type in the world
I would guess that most AK-47s worldwide are used by armed groups, guerillas and the like and are real, selective-fire, assault rifles, and not the semi-auto versions (and thus NOT assault rifles) available in the US.
If your goal is to tackle the problem of domestic terror attacks and mass murders, it makes sense to start with those models and the other weapons most frequently being used.
Nidal Hasan managed to kill 13 and wound 30 using a handgun. But I guess since he is Islamic, unlike the El Paso shooter, he doesn't count?
Or maybe β is just following the last shiny thing. El Paso happened recently in his state, so he is obsessed with it, and ignoring the much bigger problem of handgun violence.
Which may have been a factor in why it failed.
But β's plan has the same flaw. He wants to ban AK-47s and AR-15s because of how they look, not because of how they perform. Assault rifles are already illegal in the US. What β wants to do is ban certain models of semi-automatic rifle because they resemble assault rifles.
The type of weapons readily available to people contemplating mass murder is not a minor issue. It's a bigger factor than the holes in the background checks program.
The type of weapon is not the issue here. β is not proposing to ban all semi-auto rifles or even all semi-auto firearms. He wants to ban two models based on THE WAY THEY LOOK.
Indeed they are. And I have some ideas on what to do about that, too, starting with mandatory gun safety training, proficiency standards, and requirements for gun owners to pass an exam on local and state laws regarding the use and transportation of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and similar weapons. And I think guns should be barred from public spaces, and the laws barring them strictly enforced.
People can have as many guns as the like on their own property, but public safety is more important than their desire to walk around with a handgun strapped to their hip because it makes them look badass.
See. I wish β had said something like that!
I am a gun owner, and I own a weapon that would probably be listed in the second or third round of government mandated buybacks if the AK-47 and AR-15 buyback program succeeds. I take my Smith&Wesson when I'm heading out into areas where I might encounter bears, and my husband takes his Glock.
What kind of S&W? Because they make AR-15 style rifles too.
Even here in Alaska, people don't need to take a frigging handgun when they go grocery shopping. And they don't need AK-47s and AR-15s, ever.
True. Taking your guns to Walmart is stupid.
I agree his chances are slim. That doesn't mean his ideas are bad.
No, but this one surely is.
