S1331: Feinstein Leads Senate Coalition to "Regulate" .50 BMG rifles

[jpk1md]

Folks, if I'm not mistaken its not a BAN.

It simply adds the gun to the list of regulated and as such subject to the Fed tax stamp/registration.

Not that big a deal really...they are testing the waters folks, thats all.

Personally I'm against any further regulation but this isn't exactly onerous....they're simply trying to slowly chip away at it....

 

[longhorngunman]

Yes it is a big deal. And if they are going to tax and regulate my legally bought .50 then I hope they do the same to your Remmy 700!

 

[buzz_knox]

YAWN.

She's tried since 2000 to stick 50 calibers under the NFA and failed.

She wasn't part of the majority from 2000 to 2006, when her prior attempts failed. Circumstances have changed.

Folks, if I'm not mistaken its not a BAN.

It simply adds the gun to the list of regulated and as such subject to the Fed tax stamp/registration.

So what happens when Congress declares ATFE can't register any new .50s? That's the backdoor they used to ban MGs, and would work effectively here.

 

[Igloodude]

And this is one of those items that falls on a more slippery slope than usual - caliber is a bit less clear than full auto vs semi auto. Once the .50BMG is on... well, what other rifles are unusually dangerous, hmmm?

 

[Dravur]

Hmmmmm

All Democrats, whoda thunk it?

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

So what happens when Congress declares ATFE can't register any new .50s? That's the backdoor they used to ban MGs, and would work effectively here.

Then perhaps the R's should slip in some language that reopens the MG registery and prohibits closing it again

 

[jamz]

Yeah, "common sense" is a buzzword for "Look out, here it comes again!"

 

[Sharps-shooter]

.22 rimfire terror

I agree that this group is testing the waters to see what public reaction is like. The Democratic party is trying to figure out if gun control is still a winning issue for them. They seem to know that it's not the blue-chip hotbutton issue that it was ten years ago, judging from reactions to the recent school shooting. But they're not sure about the .50 caliber issue, and are probably viewing this as a more moderate approach than an AWB. After all, Schwarzenegger signed a bill like this into law, and he's a republican, right?

here's a fun fact-- far more police are killed in the line of duty by .22 caliber rifles and handguns than by 50 BMG. I'm not aware of any police fatalities from .50 BMG, but fbi statistics claim .22 rimfire kills about 10% of police killed by guns other than their own in the line of duty.

Has anyone ever heard of the police organizations listed in that article? Are they real? generally representative of anything?

 

[SWMAN]

This legislation would regulate these dangerous combat weapons, making it harder for terrorists and others to buy them for illegitimate use

I got news for Feistein, no terrorist is going to use a .50BMG to perform a terrorist act. They've proven time and time again that explosives are the weapon of choice. Besides, ever try and hit a moving vehicle with anything, much less a 28# 50BMG rifle?

The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Carl Levin (D-Mi), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and Frank Lautenberg (D- N.J.

Remember Teddy, that's a .50 caliber BROWNING MACHINE GUN round, not a .50 cal musket ball. Teddy has a bad habit of not knowing one round from another, nor does he really care. Typical of the legislation he sponsors and introduces anyway.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

The Democratic party is trying to figure out if gun control is still a winning issue for them.

It isn't, and I am not sure if ever was. The antis dont really vote the issue, it just comes with the package of a liberal Democrat (most of the time). My Comparison for that is Jim Webb, who does indeed seem pro-gun. Did it turn off any of the liberal voters in VA? No, I really doubt it.

Be nice if they would just leave it up to the states (No I dont like state bans either).

 

[K3]

Be nice if they would just leave it up to the states (No I dont like state bans either).

I don't believe the states can enact laws that conflict with the US Constitution.

Speaking from a purist's perspective, places like California and New Jersey, and especially Chicago are thumbing their collective noses that the USC. Regardless of which kangaroo court has upheld these laws as valid, at a minimum, they are violating the spirit of the USC.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

I don't believe the states can enact laws that conflict with the US Constitution.

I agree. All I meant is Id still prefer to leave it up to the states, and if one day someone can chaellenge these laws then good.

Even if they just 'regulated' Id still prefer that over bans. Chi-towns, DC, and others were there is a 'permission' factor in owning a gun need to go, at the very least.

 

[buzz_knox]

I don't believe the states can enact laws that conflict with the US Constitution.

Until the Supremes decide, or Congress declares, that the 14th Amendment applies to the states in terms of the 2nd Amendment, they can. The legislative history of the 14th Amendment indicates that it was intended to apply the entire Bill of Rights to the states, but no one has followed through with that yet.

 

[K3]

Until the Supremes decide, or Congress declares, that the 14th Amendment applies to the states in terms of the 2nd Amendment, they can. The legislative history of the 14th Amendment indicates that it was intended to apply the entire Bill of Rights to the states, but no one has followed through with that yet.

I don't see this as likely, unfortunately.

 

[G36-UK]

Then perhaps the R's should slip in some language that reopens the MG registery and prohibits closing it again

That's underhanded. I like it.

It's about time that they got a taste of their own medicine, might even do them some good.

One thing though, if the registry's reopened, can it actually be prohibited to close it again?

 

[buzz_knox]

One thing though, if the registry's reopened, can it actually be prohibited to close it again?

Not really. Congress can always put language in to the effect, but it wouldn't hold up in court. Congress can only permanently bind its hands in a matter by amending the Constitution, and even then, it can subsequently change the Constitution if there's sufficient political capital and will.

 

[SANman]

First they will regulate .50BMG, then just .50 and then .45 and .40..... Could be a trend.

 

[ptmmatssc]

International Brotherhood of Police Officers

Their a union . You'll probably find that local PD doesn't agree with them on the .50 issue , but will fall in line as long as they keep pushing for the fluff union contracts .

IBPO—the International Brotherhood of Police Officers is the largest and fastest-growing labor union representing law enforcement within the AFL-CIO

Major Cities Chiefs Association

1. The Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC), an organization of Chiefs of Police of the 59
most populous cities in the United States and Canada, submits these comments in the
Commission's Public Notice

Need I say more.

National Black Police Association

The NBPA has several chartered organizations throughout the United States, and associate members in Canada, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom

What is it about these orgs and gun restrictive countries?

I'm pretty sure that none of the organizations actually polled their members , but rather , the "boards" and executive personnel are speaking without any input from their members . These groups were probably told they would get some help with their causes (contracts , pay raises , etc etc ) for them supporting this . Back room politics I would say .

Don't take my word on it , just ask some of your local PD if they care about you having a .50 . I have and none of them so far could give a rat's patoot as long as your not a felon .

 

[Lucky]

I'm pretty sure they're thinking Waco and Ruby Ridge when they use the word 'terrorist'. The only people who still think terrorism laws are meant to affect terrorists the most are the voting public.

 

[Elza]

Sharps-shooter: After all, Schwarzenegger signed a bill like this into law, and he's a republican, right?

Not in my opinion.

 

[ATW525]

First they will regulate .50BMG, then just .50 and then .45 and .40..... Could be a trend.

Might not be a bad thing. Finally an end to caliber war threads!

 

[yokel]

The police are NOT our friends.

They've showed themselves in their true colors:

1.Fascist agents of oppression.

2.Enemies of the people.

The Maryland State Police testified in favor of the failed Assault Weapons Ban of 2007 in my home state.

 

[jpk1md]

Yokel, that is TECHNICALLY correct but the MSP stood up and testified at the hearing the year before and testified AGAINST the ban....the top cop position is a POLITICAL Appointment and he was Told what his position was going to be by O'Malley and Co....I can tell you that his heart was not in it to say the least....not to mention that the Fraternal Order of Police came out publically in opposition to SB 43 (AWB 2007).

There are some good people on the Pro 2A side of things...Senators, Delegates, Police etc.

If we keep working to introduce newbies to Firearms we can win this....I've never brought a newbie shooting and have them leave without a big grin and the question "When can we go again?"

Take a newbie shooting every month (or more), teach safety and show them how much fun it is not to mention the RIGHT that they may lose if they sit idle while the Anti's keep chipping away at it..

.50 ban is a test...an important test of our will and resolve but a test nonetheless.

Write those letters!

 

[yokel]

There are some good people on the Pro 2A side of things...Senators, Delegates, Police etc.

We can ill afford wishy-washy rank-and-file LEOs acquiescing in being used to forge the chains that bind Americans.

Insist that they take a principled stand for liberty.

Worth putting life on the line, don't you think?

I say that if you're not genuinely willing to take a bullet for the Second Amendment when decisive action is needed leave now.

 

[jpk1md]

We can ill afford wishy-washy rank-and-file LEOs acquiescing in being used to forge the chains that bind Americans.

Insist that they take a principled stand for liberty.

Well, had you been at the hearing you would have seen one of the biggest turn outs AGAINST a gun bill in Md History while there were less than 10 people in support of it and all were paid pros for Brady Campaign or listed as board members....there is little if any support from the "People" for bans...its all coming from Politicians and groups like Brady Bunch.

Fraternal Order of Police was against the bill, there were Police Officers that risked their jobs to testify at the hearing against the bill, there was a guy that sits on the board that evaluates guns for the handgun roster that was opposed to the bill....there were a LOT of people that opposed this bill!

The way to fight this crap is to keep writing letters, e-mail and most important SHOW UP AT THE HEARINGS! Tough rhetoric on the internet is great but we ALL need to put our money where our mouths are and send in a few bucks every few months to the Politicians that ARE Pro 2A along with a note that tells them this donation is for your continued support of the 2A.

Make it clear folks....if each of us horked down one less Pizza and 64oz Coke each month and instead sent that $20 bucks to a current official they would pay more attention.....Money Talks, BS Walks.

Fight the EASY fight within the system now so that no one ever has to think about the unthinkable.

$20 bucks folks.....

Send your letters and e-mails to your Reps TODAY so this bill dies in committee.