Prometheus wrote:

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 14:17:38 GMT, "mark" wrote:

I find it incredible that people today think they can stretch this
constitutional right to include rifles which fire off 10-20 rounds per
second to ouzis, AK-47s, and single shot grenade launchers in
incomprehensible.

These weapons are illegal for the general public to purchase. (yes, there
are exceptions, as I recently found out about Arizona -- but you still
need to pay lots of money, have an in-depth background check, and get the
approval of some governmental agency I can't remember the name of right
now...)

There's a shop about 10 miles from me with a sign that just says "Guns
Guns Guns" They sell any kind of firearm you could imagine, from the
old thompson sub-machine guns to big anti-aircraft guns mounted on
huge tripods. There you pay $200 for a full-auto permit (fee may've
changed by now) wait a week, and get your insanely useless machine
gun. I say insanely useless because you can't shoot it anywhere but a
licensed range, it chews up ammunition and there's no one around that
you have any right to shoot.

In what nation is this? In the US you can shoot a machine gun anywhere that
you can shoot any other kind of gun that uses the same ammunition, however
to obtain one you have to pay a $500 Federal transfer tax and wait several
months for the background check. The requirements have not changed since
1934.

Look at it this way: Ouzis, AK-47 and those ilk as well as grenade
launching firearms are not defensive in purpose - they are offensive in
purpose. Don't you find that contrary to your constitutional right to
defend yourself?

I would say it depends upon what you are defending against. If someone
breaks into my house and threatens me with a single shot fowling rifle, I
would still prefer to have my semi-automatic, thank you very much.

As we move further away from 1778, the Words & Intent of the Founding
Fathers are getting grossly slurred. The Right to Free Speech means you
have a right to speak your mind as long as it's not offensive to others.

That isn't true. You do not have the right to NOT be offended by what I
say. You have the right to NOT be shut down by the government for what you
say. That's it.


My right to own my firearms ends when I point it at you, your family,
or
your property. My right to swing my fist ends at your personal space.

Agreed.

Peace,

Dy
Kerry wrote:
How about this: The gun-grabbing liberals haven't been saying much
this election cycle. Even see photo-ops of Kerry hunting with a real
shotgun. Just wait though, if he gets in you'll see what happens to
your guns. Liberal


--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)