On Feb. 14, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., introduced H.R. 1022, a bill with the stated purpose "to reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes."
What she means by "assault weapons ban" is the Clinton gun ban of 1994. Congress allowed the ban to expire in 2004 for multiple reasons, including the fact that federal, state and local law enforcement agency studies showed that guns affected by the ban had been used in only a small percentage of crime, before and after the ban was imposed.
With the nation's murder rate 43 percent lower than in 1991, and the re-legalized guns still used in only a small percentage of crime, reauthorizing the Clinton gun ban would be objectionable enough. But McCarthy's "other purposes" would make matters even worse. H.R. 1022 would ban every gun banned by the Clinton ban, plus millions more guns, including:
• Every gun made to comply with the Clinton ban. (The Clinton ban dictated the kinds of grips, stocks and attachments new guns could have. Manufacturers modified new guns to the Clinton requirements. H.R. 1022 would ban the modified guns too.)
• Guns exempted by the Clinton ban. (Ruger Mini-14s and-30s and Ranch Rifles; .30 cal. carbines and fixed-magazine, semi-automatic, center-fire rifles that hold more than 10 rounds.)
• All semi-automatic shotguns, e.g., Remington, Winchester, Beretta and Benelli, used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. H.R. 1022 would ban them because they have "any characteristic that can function as a grip," and would also ban their main component, called the receiver."
• All detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles-including, for example, the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22 .22 rimfire, because they have "any characteristic that can function as a grip."
• Target shooting rifles, e.g., the three centerfire rifles most popular for marksmanship competitions: The Colt AR-15, the Springfield M1A and the M1 Garand.
• Any semi-automatic shotgun or rifle an attorney general claims isn't "sporting," even though the U.S. Constitution and those of 44 states, and the laws of all 50 states, recognize the right to use guns for defense.
• 65 named guns (the Clinton law banned 19 by name); semi-auto fixed-magazine pistols of more than 10 rounds capacity; and frames, receivers and parts used to repair or refurbish guns.
H.R. 1022 would also ban the importation of magazines exempted by the Clinton ban, ban the sale of a legally-owned "assault weapon" with a magazine of more than 10 rounds capacity, and begin backdoor registration of guns by requiring private sales of banned guns, frames, receivers and parts to be conducted through licensed dealers. Finally, whereas the Clinton gun ban was imposed for a 10-year trial period, H.R. 1022 would be a permanent ban.
All hunters, sport shooters, supporters of the 2nd Amendment and other firearms enthusiasts should contact U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon or their U.S. representative and urge that they oppose H.R. 1022.
