I don't get the logic behind an assault weapons ban especially considering that Connecticut is one of seven states that currently restrict purchase and possession of "assault weapons". Why is that never mentioned?
Contrary to popular belief, there IS a lot of logic behind an "assault weapons ban". To understand the logic, you need to look at the ultimate goal of those pushing for it.
The ultimate goal is to effectively remove the right to own firearms by law abiding citizens. Since that cannot be done outright, it has to be done progressively. And the starting point always hinges around people's fears and ignorances, because fear and ignorance make it easier to maniuplate people. The bigger the fear and greater the ignorance, the easier it is.
"Assault weapons", as defined by the factions pushing for more gun control, are defined more by appearance than by actual function. Package a gun in a form which LOOKS deadly and menacing and you have something that can be easily feared. If it LOOKS deadly, then by definintion it MUST BE deadly.
Again, there is an inherent logic in this. This is because it is a major part of our primal instinct to interpret things around us by how they look. If something LOOKS threatening, then we naturally tend to react like it IS threatening.
With respect to the "assault weapons" being targeted by the gun control factions, a great deal of effort has been made in not only marketing weapons which are deliberately patterned on actual military assault weapons, but we have tons of very popular movies and entertainment out there which very much glorify the use of assault weapons violent actions, whether representatived of military combat or otherwise.
So what we have with these "assault weapons" being targeted by the gun control people are weapons which LOOK deadly and are constantly being PORTRAYED as deadly military assault weapons.
TRANSLATION: An easy target in which to affect increased gun control legislation.
From this starting point things move in steps, progressing from one thing to another by association.
High capacity magazines? Bad by association with military combat weapons.
Semi-automatic pistols? Bad by association with military combat weapons.
Ammunition above certain quantities? Bad by association.
Ammunition with certain features, like jacketing, hollow points, and teflon? Bad by association.
Private sales of firearms and ammunition? Bad by association with secrecy criminal activities.
Pistols? Easily hidden on one's person, therefore threatening and bad by association.
More than a certain number of firearms? That's an arsenal and therefore bad by association.
Don't want to tell people you have firearms or ammunition? (Anti-registration) You must have a hidden agenda, bad by association.
MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT: THERE VERY MUCH IS "LOGIC" BEHIND THE PRO-GUN CONTROL FACTIONS!
It's well grounded in inherent human behavior, behavior that harkens more to our animal instincts than our intellectual capabilities. Behavior of the masses, which is in many ways more predictable and easier to manipulate than behavior of individuals.
To ignore this, make light of it, or otherwise dismiss it is to underestimate the power and capabilities of these people.
