So you think you know the 2nd Amendment

[The Storyteller]

Explain to us then, as you "know a bit", the modifications the BATF and the manufacturers made, decades ago, to make sure that the "simple modification" was not simple at all... You probably know all that stuff, ya?

I'm pleased to hear that.

But it isn't quite the point I was trying to make. In fact, you add an exclamation point to the one I was. Namely, just how similar to combat weapons these things actually are. To the point where additional modifications had to be made so folks couldn't make them exactly like combat weapons.

Part of this is just common sense. Guns are designed for killing. That is why they were invented. Different guns were designed for killing different things. These guns are designed specifically for killing people. After many iterations of combat weaponry, they have become more and more efficient at doing that, to the point where one gun can kill many, many people, as quickly as possible and without jamming, overheating, or needing reloading. And when that is necessary, to do so as easily and quickly as possible, so one can continue to kill more people.

So, unless a civilian has a need to kill many many people in a short period of time, there is no reason for them to have one. At least, not one that outweighs society's interest in keeping them from doing so.

Some of the salient facts of the recent mass shooting are telling. We know this guy knew his weaponry. By some reports I have read, he was a frequent visitor of local firing ranges. When he left the house, he took the four weapons that would most efficiently kill people. He left the hunting rifles at home. When he arrived at the school, he left the shotgun in the trunk of his car and took the three most destructive and efficient weapons. When he shot his way into the school, he used the single most efficient killing machine in his possession... the AR-15. Exclusively. Until he finally shot himself with a pistol.

[The Storyteller]

As an aside, I always considered fully automatic on an M16 a waste of ammo and time. Single shot was always much more accurate, effective, efficient, in my view.

[CathyA]

Phew! I'm glad to know that's out of the way. There was a big crowd forming waiting for you to tell us what we need. So glad you resolved that for us, we can all go home now.

Very rude Yossarian.

[CathyA]

Explain to us then, as you "know a bit", the modifications the BATF and the manufacturers made, decades ago, to make sure that the "simple modification" was not simple at all... You probably know all that stuff, ya?

Bae, why do you have to be so condescending? Why are you so defensive when someone else might know a little about guns? (or anything else for that matter). Arrogance. Its so tiring.
Storyteller was explaining what his experience has been in a very non-threatening way. I'm so tired of your arrogance.

[Alan]

As an aside, I always considered fully automatic on an M16 a waste of ammo and time.

So did the Air Force back in the day. They taught me to fire in short, 3 to 4 round bursts.

I don't know how accurate the info is, but I've heard that newer M16's are now designed to do just that rather than full automatic.

[Lainey]

Since you posted this in two different threads, I'll respond to it here as well.

According to several reports, the shooter in that case saw the subject of your story pointing his weapon at him and decided to end his own life at that point.

In the other cases I cited earlier, armed citizens confronted the shooter with their weapons and were able to stop and hold them without resorting to firing. There is no doubt that the mere presence of weapons has an effect on criminals.

Another article questioning whether armed civilians make a difference in mass shootings:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/...mass-shootings

[Yossarian]

Very rude Yossarian.

Lighten up Francis.

Just because you can make good book recomendations doesn't mean you should be the one to decide what everyone else needs.

[Alan]

I remember in the Marines dropping by a gun store to humor a friend and was surprised to see an AR-15. It looked exactly like an M-16. I broke it down and the only difference I could find was the ability to switch back and forth to automatic fire, although this was very superficial.

You know why the AR-15 and the M-16 look so similar? Because Colt based it's initial M-16 design on the former, turning a semi-automatic rifle into a fully automatic assault weapon.

I've noticed many folks think it's the other way around.

[CathyA]

double post removed

[CathyA]

Lighten up Francis.

Just because you can make good book recomendations doesn't mean you should be the one to decide what everyone else needs.

HUH? I think you have me confused with someone else.

Why is it that gun owners can be so very defensive/hostile?