Arg - Day 1 of AWB gone, misinformation still propagates

[fletcher]

The local talk radio station (680WPTF - a 'conservative' station) is reporting on their news that since the AWB expired, this is the first time in 10 years AK-47s and Uzis are able to be legally sold in the US. I sent their News Director a message concerning this - hopefully it gets clarified. I think I covered most everything...

To whom it may concern:

I noticed an error in the news being reported concerning the Assault Weapons Ban. On the news, it is being read that this is the first time in 10 years AK-47s and Uzis can be legally sold in the US. That is not true; AK-47s and Uzis have been legally sold in the US for the past 10 years.
The AWB did not restrict the sale of them, only the manufacture of magazines with >10 rounds and guns with certain features. It is still illegal to manufacture a 'non-sporting' firearm from foreign made parts under 18 USC 922(r).
The AWB also does not deal with automatic guns. ONLY semi-automatics are covered. Automatics have been heavily taxed/regulated/banned since the 1934 National Firearms Act and 1986.
The expiration of the ban allows guns to be made in the US now with more than two of the banned features (bayonet mount, folding/telescoping stock, 'pistol grip', etc.)
The website http://www.awbansunset.com/ gives a good explanation of the legislation.

Thanks,
<Fletcher>

 

[fletcher]

Yay! Got a response - looks like he's going to fix it:

You are absolutely correct. I checked to see where we, WPTF News, is getting
the incorrect information. It is the Associated Press that clearly states
the weapons were banned by the 1994 law which is totally false. Another
great example of how people get incorrect information from the media. AP is
a worldwide news organization so that incorrect news is being reported
around the world. I checked a couple of international news organization's
websites and they all have the correct story. Too often, I think, we in this
country, are willing to accept any story from any news organization as the
truth. That is extremely dangerous.

 

[jefnvk]

What?! The media admitting they were wrong?! The sky is falling

Good Job. Don't forget to thank them for correcting themselves

 

[cls12vg30]

Yeah I'm not surprised you got a positive response from WPTF, they seem to be a good station. I wouldn't necessarily call the station itself "conservative", they carry mostly conservative talk, but often their newscasts contains much of the same misinformation you might read in the News & Observer. Your experience seems to illustrate the reason for this, they just spit out what the wire services feed them like everyone else.

But overall it's not a bad station, and my radio is tuned to 680 most of the time.

 

[Wildalaska]

Walther told me this morning that they arent shipping mags till tommorrow...thats when the AWB ends

I told em to look at the ATF website, anyway Ill call em tommorrow

WildshippinfrenzyAlaska

 

[fletcher]

Aarrrrrrrrrrrrg x 2.

They took off the part about 'first time in 10 years legal to sell ____' and replaced it with:

Some of the 19 _ foreign-made weapons like the AK-47 and Uzi _ are still banned under a 1989 law prohibiting imports of specific automatic weapons.

and

Under the 1994 ban, the maximum capacity of a magazine was set at 10 rounds.


Suppose that's a step up...

EDIT: Just noticed this is still in there, but it's straight from Associated Press anyways:

The expiration Monday of a 10-year federal ban on assault weapons means firearms like TEC-9s can now be legally bought _ a development that has critics upset and gun owners pleased. :banghead:

 

[dustind]

The expiration Monday of a 10-year federal ban on assault weapons means firearms like TEC-9s can now be legally bought _ a development that has critics upset and gun owners pleased.

What is wrong with that statement? I know they said it like that to try and stir up emotion, but we have to get people used to the dea that there is nothing wrong with TEC-9s being legal.

EDIT: never mind, I guess TEC-9s are still banned by name. Still, they should be legal despite thier low quality.