The Assault Handguard Ban of 2013

[sturmgewehr]

You guys won't believe this.

http://militaryarms.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-handguard-ban-of-2013.html

I caught this on CSPAN yesterday. Feinstein is defining the front handguard of a rifle as an evil feature that when coupled with a detachable magazine makes the semi-automatic firearm an "assault weapon" under the proposed AWB of 2013. When I read the bill and the clause dealing with "barrel shrouds", I took it at face value. I thought she was talking about an actual barrel shroud. It appears that's not the case.

 

[Sam Cade]

Yep.

Noticed this back in January.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=699753&highlight=shroud

 

[cfullgraf]

I was wondering if you could cut a slot down the length of a free float hand guard and get around Ms Feinstein's definition of a barrel shroud.

 

[FitGunner]

I guess she hates safety features.

 

[GarySTL]

I guess she hates safety features.

No, she hates folks she doesn't have under control and think for themselves.

 

[JFrame]

Hmmm...I wonder if the handguard on my T/C Contender carbine, and a folding stock in lieu of the box magazine, renders it an "assault weapon"?


.

 

[mljdeckard]

I thought it was the shoulder thing that goes up?

 

[JFrame]

I thought it was the shoulder thing that goes up?

Okay -- now you're talking about the ULTIMATE definition of an "assault weapon"...





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[Bianchi?]

So.....we're pretty much talking every semi-auto ever made.

 

[Texan Scott]

There's about 01% chance of this passing.... she's gone mental. It's almost sad and not quite funny..

:banghead:

 

[-v-]

Bianchi: I believe, it covers any rifle every made, basically. I would think even a Remington 700, or a Browning BAR hunting rifle would be subject to this regulation as they (1) have a removable-ish magazine, and (2) have a handguard that partially encircles the barrel.

Good on Feinstein. Design something that is basically unpassable.

 

[kwguy]

Watching her operate is like watching clowns on fire: Sad...but funny.

 

[JustinJ]

I suspect this is something added to go after guns like AR and AK pistols.

 

[ball3006]

I wonder if a Mauser 1888 is considered an assult rifle? It has a full barrel shroud and a bayonet lug.....chris3

 

[gym]

Finestien is the assault weapon.

 

[loose noose]

And to think she gets elected each term, what does that say about the idiots that get her elected each time?!

 

[HoosierQ]

They're doing their homework here. This is why this is different than 1994.

We all know what she's talking about. She (or they rather) are looking at the core functionality of these "military style" weapons and have detected the fact that they do have handguards to shield the hand from hot parts...hot parts that result from a high rate of fire or just lots of shots one after the other.

Now me, I bought an AR in order to have a gun that I could put a lot of rounds through safely...where heat would be well controlled by handguards and the like. Take a lever action to the range and shoot 30 rounds through it one right after the other...that thing'll be very hot...not to mention loose accuracy.

So this is ominous because they're doing their homework. They seem to know how these things work. This is a deliberate attempt to make any weapon that can handle a high rate of fire comfortably illegal. And done so in a fairly intelligent way...in terms of their end goal.

This one's not gonna be like 1994. If there's any good news, they may take it too far and propose something that won't pass. Here's a case where what is arguably a safety feature is the very reason for making it banned, regulated, whatever. That's not going to make sense to a lot of those who're gonna have to vote for such a thing...on both sided of the aisle...I hope

 

[fanchisimo]

I'm surprised she hasn't gone for a barrel ban. "These barrels allow pieces of metal to be moved at a high rate of speed, destroying whatever is in their path. But don't you worry, Firearms that don't use barrels will not be banned." In all seriousness, a bolt action barrel can get plenty hot, too. I remember when I was breaking in the barrel on a savage, just the five rounds at a time made it really warm. Trying to ban a protective feature is extremely asinine.

 

[Meta]

I suppose a homicidal psychopath wouldn't dare to fashion something out of household or hardware store materials that would function to shield their hands from the heat from rapid fire during the last ten minutes they're alive. Nah, couldn't happen. Monkeys can use crude tools, even fashion some innovate ones from sticks and twigs, but a human could never come up with a way to wrap a barrel with something to make it easier to hold when hot! Gloves, maybe, but that's it. Ok? I'm glad we're covering this topic because I was really worried that Feinstein's bill was stupid.

 

[HoosierQ]

I'm surprised she hasn't gone for a barrel ban. "These barrels allow pieces of metal to be moved at a high rate of speed, destroying whatever is in their path. But don't you worry, Firearms that don't use barrels will not be banned." In all seriousness, a bolt action barrel can get plenty hot, too. I remember when I was breaking in the barrel on a savage, just the five rounds at a time made it really warm. Trying to ban a protective feature is extremely asinine.

That's what I'm saying. At this point, they're looking at "sporting" arms vs "military style" arms and I guess we all know what that means in terms of features.

Never say never I guess but they're not going to be able to ban barrels (I know you're being facetious to make a point). That's currently off the table as we do still have the 2nd Amendment and Heller. "Types" of guns? Well that's a different story. We may all be shooting Ruger Number 1s and NEFs...

 

[fanchisimo]

Meta, of course a criminal wouldn't craft something if a law was passed. There would be a law against it. What do you think, a criminal just goes around breaking the law? Okay, I'm done with the sarcasm.

 

[pockets]

Will there be a buying frenzy for 'tactical oven mitts' now?
.

 

[Flopsweat]

I was wondering if you could cut a slot down the length of a free float hand guard and get around Ms Feinstein's definition of a barrel shroud.

It says "partially or completely encircles" so I doubt the slot will help. You might look at the definition of "shroud" but I'm thinking that things get iffy in court when you cut it that fine. On the upside, it's never going to pass. They're probably just letting her embrace her inner nutjob so that the final distillation of this whole effort - UBC - will look less stupid in comparison. "Sure it's ineffective, illogical and pointless, but we have to do something! Look, we brought children and grieving parents with us. If you say no you are a horrible person."

 

[jamesbeat]

"Sure it's ineffective, illogical and pointless, but we have to do something! Look, we brought children and grieving parents with us. If you say no you are a horrible person."

THAT is exactly how the UK handgun ban happened.
If you spoke out against a ban, the public looked upon you with revulsion. Very few politicians were willing to speak out, even if they disagreed with the ban.

 

[JRH6856]

Take a look at how her bill defines "forward grip" and "pistol grip" , the presence of either of which makes a semi-auto an Assault Weapon.

Page 12
13 ‘‘(42) The term ‘forward grip’ means a grip located
14 forward of the trigger that functions as a pistol grip.

Page 13
3 ‘‘(46) The term ‘pistol grip’ means a grip, a thumb
4 hole stock, or any other characteristic that can function
5 as a grip.​

While "forward grip" and "pistol grip" are defined in the bill, "grip" is not defined so the common definition applies. As it makes no distinction in the angle of the grip, I believe this could be interpreted to mean any existing rifle stock which allows the shooter to grip the rifle in any way. "Forward grip" can also apply to a rifle sling attached to the forestock as this can function as a grip. (like the front grip strap on an MAC-10.) So, yes, the bill seeks to ban every semi-auto rifle ever made.