Feel like getting angry?

[dog3]

Clueless writers award of the day goes to;
The Arizon Republic!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/tempe/articles/1110gr-thomason10Z6.html

 

[Helio]

I saw the title of the article and closed the window. I guess I didn't feel like getting angry - read too much of this crap already.

 

[RavenVT100]

It doesn't really make me angry any more. It makes me sad that a journalist would sacrifice his or her integrity to print propaganda. It's clear that the author has no knowledge of firearms or what constitutes a "high powered" rifle. Semiautomatic weapons are not, and cannot be, assault rifles by the definition of the term.

The thing is, if you e-mailed this guy, and explained to him why his article is factually incorrect, he would likely insist that it is not, label you as a gun nut, and write you off.

The type of weapon used in many military arsenals, including those of terrorists, according to news reports.

That was funny. You can always count on "news reports" to provide factually correct, bias-free info about guns.

Gilbert Police Chief John Brewer declined comment, saying through department spokesman Lt. Joe Ruet that "the chief of police is not qualified to speak on the AK-47."

I'm happy that we still have police Chiefs who aren't totally ignorant on the issue of weapons.

 

[Don Gwinn]

"Any comments regarding the Second Amendment are obvious because we support it as the law of the land," Ruet wrote in an e-mail message last week. He had told me earlier that, "There are so many deer rifles out there that have as much capability" as a weapon like the AK-47. "The only difference is the large magazine capacity. We train for safety and tactics, and it doesn't represent any significant risk over the deer rifles that are out there. They're probably not the hunters' choice, but I'm sure that there are people that use them for hunting."

But Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said weapons like the one purchased by Dugan elevate risks assumed by police.

"There are a lot of challenges to police in America since 9/11," he said. "The concern that officers have bulletproof vests as a typical part of their uniform indicates that they may come in contact with people who have firearms to use against them. Bulletproof vests are designed to stop handgun rounds, in general. They're expected to stop handgun rounds. But it's a lot more difficult to stop a round from a high-powered rifle, generally because the round has a lot more energy. And when you get to the semiautomatic rifle you combine the power of the bullet, the energy of that bullet with the ability to rapidly discharge a large number of bullets at whatever you're shooting."

"The Police" told him that the difference in the rifles is very little and it's not a problem for police, and that wasn't enough, so what would make anybody think he's going to accept the facts from some reader? Obviously there's nothing in the world that can change his opinion. He knows more than his local police department about doing police work in his area, and so does the head of some organization of organizations from somewhere else.

 

[nordaim]

When referring to semi-automatic weapons, it always makes me wonder what any anti considers a "large number of rounds" and also by "quickly".

I constantly get the feeling that they are continually confusing semi automatic weapons, with a rate of fire of say 90 rds/min, to a fully automatic weapon with a cyclical rate of ~600+ rds/min.

 

[shermacman]

Dear Mr. Thomason:

Regarding your article: Don't relax, assault weapons are near you

I own several 'assault' weapons. I also own several high-powered hunting rifles and many types of hand guns. I don't want to slam your article, even though I disagree with almost everything you wrote. However, you have to remember that two of the largest mass murders in the US were done with plain old Diesel fuel (168 dead, Oklahoma City, 1995 ) and gasoline (87 dead, NYC, 1990). Of course, you could also consider the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 as using Jet Fuel A as the primary weapon also.

When are you going to recommend banning fuel?

 

[Langenator]

And you can do all of it for $200, excluding the ammunition, according to gun shop Web sites advertising the ROMARM like Dugan purchased.

I just want to know where I can get a Romy AKlone for less than $200...

 

[R.H. Lee]

Discouraging to see this crap coming out of AZ. I guess the disease is systemic and has metasasized.

 

[AZ Jeff]

The Arizona Republic newspaper is locally known as the the "AZ Rag". The editor is a leftist who CONSTANTLY supports liberal positions and denigrates any moderate or conservative thoughts.

You should have seen their screaming about Proposition 200 that passed last week, the proposal to restrict govt benefits to illegal aliens.

 

[CentralTexas]

I wrote the jerk

and asked what websites had AK47 clones for $200 as the best deal I can find is $350.
I hope he really has to think that one over!
CT

 

[Rexrider]

Yes, it is very discouraging to read that kind of article here in AZ. The good news is however, most people here will ignore it (hopefully).

The biggest challenge we face here is the growing number of people moving in from California. It has gotten so expensive to live there that AZ is becoming a much more attractive place to live. I have a friend who lives near San Diego. It is mind boggling what houses and rent cost there.

Now, I have no problem with people moving here, as long as they don't try to turn AZ into the political equivalent of CA. Unfortunately, I think that is starting to happen.

There is no immediate danger of CA style gun bans at this time but I fear the day is coming. We currently have a Governor who would sign any ant-gun bill that hit her desk. She had made it quite clear she was/is a Kerry Supporter. I can only hope she is a little nervous about her political future after this last election. I know she is not going to get my vote when she is up for election.

 

[Standing Wolf]

"There are a lot of challenges to police in America since 9/11," he said.

Well, heck! There are a lot of challenges to police in America since this time last week. There'll probably be even more this time next week.

Mighty impressive, I'd say.

 

[psyopspec]

Made it about halfway down, then my ulcer acted up. Closed the window.

 

[The_Antibubba]

(Note to Derek:We really need the old "rolleyes" back)

 

[BeLikeTrey]

help me proof and fix this.

Good morning Mr Thomason,

I recently read your report on the assault weapon issue in "The Arizona Republic". While well written and researched, I wish to take up a few points. If I may point out, there isn't much that can't be made dangerous in the wrong hands. Simple things such as diesel fuel and simple fertilizer can be much more efficient and dangerous. Passenger airliners can be used, and have been, as we are painfully aware.
I submit to you that the human being is what we rarely approach as the dangerous weapon. I believe it is all to easy to villify an inanimate object rather than to look deep within our own nature. If we did, we would realize that it is not any one thing. Any one weapon or weapon type as the Officer was quoted in your piece. "There are so many deer rifles out there that have as much capability" and "The only difference is the large magazine capacity. We train for safety and tactics, and it doesn't represent any significant risk over the deer rifles that are out there. They're probably not the hunters' choice, but I'm sure that there are people that use them for hunting."
To be quite frank, we can ban until we are "blue in the face" we can villify any object. These will treat an individual symptom but the problem still remains. Any tool can become a weapon in the wrong hands. Perhaps we should try to identify the wrong hands, instead of banning ourselves into oblivion. Identify the real problem. Proper enforcement of laws and prevention of known criminals and mentally insufficient people (such as the one in your piece) would be a better start. Proper civic minded people like those who informed on this man are another good start. Please, lets not villify inanimate objects anymore.