But the AK47, M16, and MAC10 were effectively banned before they were ever designed, when, in 1934, the sale of automatic weapons to the general public was outlawed, and the Class III licensing system was implemented. If someone wants to go through the motions of obtaining a Class III license, paying the hefty costs to purchase a weapon which can legally be transferred, and so forth, I really don't see much problem with it. How many instances of legally owned Class III weapons being used in a crime are there? Offhand, I can only recount the one instance, where it was used by the police officer to whom it was issued. In semi automatic form, how are they really different from any other rifle? I had a similar discussion.. maybe two years ago? I brought an AR15 clone to the firing range (I say clone, because it's not manufactured by or under license from Colt, so, it can't be a true AR15). One of the firers there derided me for owning it, yet, he was there with a Mini 14. Now, interestingly, the AR15 was included in the 1994 ban by name, whereas the Mini 14 was exempted by name. What's the difference between the two rifles? They're both gas operated semi automatics which fire the same cartridge and are fed from a magazine. Aside from the Mini 14 having a more robust gas system, the only real difference is cosmetics, and perhaps the AR having tighter tolerances (I use it for IPSC competition).

Yeah, there was a lot of foolishness involved in that episode, but bear in mind that typical patrol cars weren't loaded with sniping weapons, rifles, and the like. It took time for SWAT to get there.

Namely, to avoid the situation from escalating to the point where you have to use it. I would shoot someone if necessary for my defence, but would I really want to? If they think they're overwhelmed from the start, and run out with their tails between their legs, that's just fine with me.


Your posts are always so colourful. I'm getting quite envious here.
You make me think back to my childhood days, when my grandfather would take me shooting with him. He had an old Mosin Nagant and an AVS36 that he had personally captured during the Winter War, and kept as souvenirs. Dammit, now you're making me get sentimental.

Can you really say that with any degree of certainty, though? Seeing someone mangled and having someone actually try to take your life are two very different things. Dealing with blood isn't a problem for me, having both an inner city paramedic and a combat medic. But I still got nervous all the same whenever my unit got involved in firefights. Mind you, I still did my job, but it was a lot more difficult to do under stress.
On the subject of oil fields, did you catch that documentary series on... TruTV (formerly Court TV).. I think it was?.. about the Texas oil field workers?

Yes, I've never understood these people who consider fights to be a showboating event. If you're going to fight someone, fight them. Don't get yourself caught up in trying to show off. The groin is fair game, as far as I'm concerned. I'd try to hit them in the groin itself, mind you, rather than going for the jewels. But, all that aside, you know what firsthand how it feels when you go into "fight or flight" mode.

Out of the main event, perhaps, but not necessarily out of the discussion. As for why I haven't done it, you have to understand that I am at a bit of a dilemma here. On one hand, I am here. I have been here for a fairly decent amount of time, have become Americanised in many ways, and have more or less settled into life here. I've shed blood for this country. On the other hand, my family is not here. My relatives here are so distantly related to me, I couldn't even describe to you what the exact relation is to me. And I know it may seem a bit ridiculous, but I'm stuck at a point of indecision in my life at the moment.

I have almost eight years of service - four on active duty, and almost four in the Reserve (13 months of which were spent being reassigned to the Regular Army as an active member). It would be ten, but I had a two year break in service. I've done a tour in Afghanistan, and a tour in Iraq, leaving the latter with a Purple Heart pinned to me, and a slight bit of weight loss. There's actually a doctor at the VA who seems to have made it his mission to convince me just to go ahead and go for it, but, like I said already, there are other factors which come into play, and I just need more time to weigh everything out.

I agree about the bio-fuels being a load of crap. I'm really surprised that the hype has been allowed to continue for as long as it has, considering how people always seem to be looking for faults. I figured they hype would've been smashed a long time ago, considering how apparent the faults of these fuels are. But, some people need so desperately to believe in something, they'll just latch onto anything which conveniently passes by, I suppose.