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If You Pass This Bill, More Presidents Will Die
Congress is considering a bill that would remove several burdensome restrictions on gun possession that the District of Columbia retained even after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that its handgun ban and firearm storage requirements violated the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment Enforcement Act, introduced by Rep. Travis Childers (D-Miss.) and supported by dozens of Democrats in the House, would repeal D.C.'s onerous gun registration rules, lift the requirement that guns be kept unloaded and locked except in the face of an "immediate" threat, and narrow the legal definition of prohibited "machine guns" so that it no longer covers magazine-loaded semiautomatics, the most popular self-defense weapons.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) argues that the bill would allow people to carry "loaded AK-47s or .50-caliber sniper assault weapons openly in cars or in person," which would pose a "palpable risk...to the public safety of our residents" and create a challenge for "federal law enforcement and security officials in this city, where two presidents have been killed with handguns." D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier warns, "In attempted and successful assassinations around the world, the first step in attacking a motorcade is frequently to take out the security detail with semiautomatic and automatic firearms."
I'm not sure where to begin. The only provision of the bill that deals with carrying weapons applies in the gun owner's "dwelling house or place of business or on other land possessed by that person." There's nothing about carrying loaded guns in public. AK-47s and all other "automatic firearms" would remain prohibited in any case. The two assassinated presidents to whom Norton refers are Abraham Lincoln, who was killed with a single-shot derringer, and James Garfield, who was killed with a revolver. (John Hinckley also used a revolver when he tried to kill Ronald Reagan.) Both are types of weapons that would remain legal in Washington no matter what Congress does.
I assume Holmes and Lanier are not suggesting would-be assassins are deterred by laws against carrying loaded weapons. Their concern seems to be that if Childers' bill passes the streets will be filled with law-abiding citizens openly carrying loaded rifles and shotguns, making the assassins harder to identify. Leaving aside the rather important point that the bill does not change the rules for carrying guns in public, here's a good way to tell who the assassins are: They're the ones who aren't openly carrying loaded weapons.
In July I noted D.C.'s determination to continue flouting the Second Amendment.
TallDave|9.12.08 @ 3:02PM|#
Did you know over 90% of U.S. Presidents have died?
Clearly, we need gun control.
libertarian democrat|9.12.08 @ 3:06PM|#
their concern seems to be that if Childers' bill passes the
streets would be filled with law-abiding citizens openly carrying
loaded rifles and shotguns
That would be sorta cool.
ed|9.12.08 @ 3:07PM|#
I assume Holmes and Lanier are not suggesting would-be
assassins are deterred by laws against carrying loaded
weapons.
You assume wrong, oh cordite breath. If you had only said, "I
assume Holmes and Lanier are retards," then all would be well in
the world. But we must get along, mustn't we?
|9.12.08 @ 3:08PM|#
How stupid are these people? Or maybe I should ask how stupid do they think we are?
|9.12.08 @ 3:10PM|#
here's a good way to tell who the assassins are: They're the
ones who aren't openly carrying loaded weapons.
The hell? What is that supposed to mean? That's just a stupid thing
to say.
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 3:13PM|#
I don't know how law-abiding a citizen I am, but I do know that
carrying around a loaded shotgun will cause me to go Doc Holiday on
more than a few people!
"Yes, but there's just something about him. Something around the
eyes, I don't know, reminds me of... me. No. I'm sure of it, I hate
him."
|9.12.08 @ 3:19PM|#
Gun control doesn't stop illegal guns, it only restricts those who legally own them.
|9.12.08 @ 3:20PM|#
As someone who has gone from mildly in favor of some gun control
regulation to more agnostic on the question, I have to say that the
risk of presidential assassination is far and away the strongest
argument I've ever heard supporting unrestricted gun
ownership.
Oh, you mean that Ms. Norton is an OPPONENT of unrestricted gun
ownership? Odd.
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 3:20PM|#
"Dave Rutabaugh is an ignorant scoundrel! I disapprove of his very existence. I considered ending it myself on several occasions but self-control got the better of me."
Elemenope|9.12.08 @ 3:23PM|#
Val Kilmer's best dramatic role.
Very probably. I did also enjoy his King Philip II, even though the
surrounding movie sucked a great deal.
TallDave|9.12.08 @ 3:24PM|#
Val Kilmer's best dramatic role.
/agree
I must have watched that movie 20 times in college.
|9.12.08 @ 3:26PM|#
"Why Ike, whatever do you mean? Maybe poker's just not your game Ike. I know! Let's have a spelling contest! "
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 3:26PM|#
Voice of Reason has a point. If government officials were more terrified of the whims of an armed citizenry, instruments of the state would be more careful before acting like jackbooted thugs. That is all.
|9.12.08 @ 3:27PM|#
Very probably. I did also enjoy his King Philip II, even
though the surrounding movie sucked a great deal.
The
Salton Sea.
|9.12.08 @ 3:30PM|#
"here's a good way to tell who the assassins are: They're the
ones who aren't openly carrying loaded weapons."
The hell? What is that supposed to mean? That's just a stupid
thing to say.
I think he means that even in a world where law-abiding citizens
are allowed to openly carry their weapons, assassins intent on
actually using theirs on a heavily guarded public official might
still tend to be a bit sneaky and furtive about it.
|9.12.08 @ 3:39PM|#
"AK-47s or .50-caliber sniper assault weapons"
You can only get an AK-47 if it is from before 1986, which makes em
as expensive as cars. Not to mention it is a class 3 weapon, which
means you likely can't carry it.
Also I'm not aware of any .50 caliber rifles made for civilian
usage.
Also "sniper assault"? Which is it?
DADIODADDY|9.12.08 @ 3:39PM|#
libertarian democrat
their concern seems to be that if Childers' bill passes the streets
would be filled with law-abiding citizens openly carrying loaded
rifles and shotguns...gives a whole new meaning to drive by
shooting
Kolohe|9.12.08 @ 3:44PM|#
The Washington Post Editorial page invoked 9/11 in the openning
sentence of an piece saying the same things Norton said.
I didn't read any further, since imo, 9/11 is the new Godwin.
|9.12.08 @ 3:45PM|#
You can only get an AK-47 if it is from before
1986
That is if it is full auto. You can get a semi-auto in most states
any time you want. My friend has one (it's fucking great, by the
way) but he can't keep it here because CT is one of those states
that has its own limited "assault weapon" ban.
Also I'm not aware of any .50 caliber rifles made for civilian
usage.
What are you talking about? Barrett makes .50 cals for
super-long-range target shooting.
Elemenope|9.12.08 @ 3:54PM|#
I didn't read any further, since imo, 9/11 is the new
Godwin.
Call it the Giuliani Corollary.
matt2|9.12.08 @ 3:56PM|#
Ah yes, we must defend against all these home-grown
assassination plans in the District.
Of course, no non-residents wishing to undertake a full frontal
assault on a motorcade could bring their own guns. I
forgot about the checkpoints at all entrances to the city that
would prevent such an occurrence.
mr simple|9.12.08 @ 3:56PM|#
What about Madmartigan (sp?) from Willow?
"Give me a sword and I'll win this war for you."
No, Doc Holliday was mos def his best dramatic role.
Scott|9.12.08 @ 3:57PM|#
The Second Amendment Enforcement Act. I like it. Can we also get the First Amendment Enforcement Act, the Fourth Amendment Enforcement Act, and the Sixth Amendment Enforcement Act?
|9.12.08 @ 3:58PM|#
I thought he was good in Willow, but come on, his Doc Holiday was awesome. Kilmer's actually a pretty damned good actor, though his career kind of took a left-hand turn.
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 4:00PM|#
Pro Lib, Epi,
Am I simply to young to know what you two are talking about or am I
simply culturally illiterate when compared with the mighty
knowledge you two seem to have acquired in your much longer life
spans?
robc|9.12.08 @ 4:01PM|#
http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4385152
Just thought I would include this as this is what I think the
pro-gun control people fear. Note the zero deaths involved,
however.
|9.12.08 @ 4:04PM|#
I don't see why anyone needs to have a .50-caliber sniper assault HUSSEIN weapon.
robc|9.12.08 @ 4:05PM|#
Epi,
Wouldn't Chris Knight be his best comedic role?
Apparently humor isnt your strong suit.
|9.12.08 @ 4:05PM|#
derp, I'm not aware of any restrictions on Barrett rifles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnilmqZzCH4
|9.12.08 @ 4:06PM|#
Am I simply to young to know what you two are talking about
or am I simply culturally illiterate when compared with the mighty
knowledge you two seem to have acquired in your much longer life
spans?
Jesus, I am not old, for fuck's sake, or even middle-aged. ProL,
he's ancient. I just have a great appreciation for older
movies.
We were referring to Real Genius
and Top
Secret.
|9.12.08 @ 4:07PM|#
"How stupid are these people? Or maybe I should ask how stupid
do they think we are?"
They are not stupid they are panicked. If this act goes through, in
all probability the crime and murder rates in Washington will go
down. When that happens the entire gun control agenda will be
revealed for the lie that it is.
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 4:09PM|#
I stand by my assessments!!! Christ! I barely remember those. I think I was to young to even be high when I saw em'.
|9.12.08 @ 4:14PM|#
Pro
Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every
now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in
peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.
|9.12.08 @ 4:15PM|#
It's really hard to conceal-carry a gatling gun, what with having to drag that coffin around.
Djyrn|9.12.08 @ 4:15PM|#
I typically read the "AK-47" as grandstanding non-sense.
On the other hand, for someone who doesn't know what they're
talking about, I imagine it's a memorable group of letters and
numbers that pops into their minds with horrible images whenever
guns are mentioned.
|9.12.08 @ 4:16PM|#
http://www.impactguns.com/store/barrett.html
Put your Barrett rifle on layaway today!
|9.12.08 @ 4:18PM|#
I was still a college freshman when Real Genius came
out.
I was in grade school.
|9.12.08 @ 4:19PM|#
"Meaning of Life?"
Yes. It is a lot more satisfying than "42". I am not much of a
Python geek, but I always liked that quote. Yes, it is a joke, but
at some level that is about all there is to it really.
Naga Sadow|9.12.08 @ 4:25PM|#
"Real Genius" came out in 85. I was born in 84. I thought it came out in 89. Strange the way we remember things when we are that young. Then again, I remember getting stung in the ear by a bee when I was 2 so there is that.
robc|9.12.08 @ 4:29PM|#
Naga,
I remember watching the last guys on the moon when I was 3.
Obviously, I didnt know they were the last.
DrewT|9.12.08 @ 4:40PM|#
As a quick clarification, although James Garfield did die as a
result of being wounded by a revolver, the actual culprit was
turn-of-the century medical treatment.
Edison's grandstanding (trying to find a lead bullet with a
magnetometer) didn't help much either.
Elemenope|9.12.08 @ 4:55PM|#
"Why are you wearing that on your head?"
"Cause if I wore it anywhere else, it would chafe!"
Paul|9.12.08 @ 5:04PM|#
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) argues that the bill would allow people to carry "loaded AK-47s or .50-caliber sniper assault weapons openly in cars or in person,"
And this is a problem, why?
Elemenope|9.12.08 @ 5:12PM|#
And this is a problem, why?
Because law officers may in fact crap their pants, costing
taxpayers millions in replacement uniforms and equipment.
You see, they are looking out for you, the taxpayer!
|9.12.08 @ 5:39PM|#
That is if it is full auto. You can get a semi-auto in most
states any time you want.
If its semi-auto only, its not an AK-47.
I, too, snickered at "sniper assault" rifles. Although "Sniper
Assault" would be a good name for a video game.
Other Matt|9.12.08 @ 6:02PM|#
ENH being an idiot isn't so much a problem as the majority of
voters in DC being of the same lack if comprehension.
BTW, Bushmaster and Armalite also make a .50 BMG rifle. There's
also .50 Beowulf for those who dont' know the difference. .50 black
powder scares the real idiots.
cunnivore|9.12.08 @ 7:10PM|#
Secy of the Treasury Alex Hamilton was killed by a
handgun.
Also, no presidents have been killed with bazookas, so we need to
legalize those for open carry.
|9.12.08 @ 8:01PM|#
if they were any good they wouldn't get shot in the first place don't do gun control just elect good presidents good day
JGR|9.12.08 @ 9:36PM|#
Naga Sadow wrote: "I don't know how law-abiding a citizen I am,
but I do know that carrying around a loaded shotgun will cause me
to go Doc Holiday on more than a few people!"
What does wheezing and coughing on people have to do with loaded
shotguns . . ?
|9.12.08 @ 11:32PM|#
I imagine it's a memorable group of letters and numbers that
pops into their minds with horrible images whenever guns are
mentioned.
Jesus, I just flashed back to The Manchurian Candidate
(the original that is) and the bottle of Heinz 57 on the kitchen
table.
Now feeling really old for mentioning a movie at least 20 years
older than Real Genius (which was not a comedy, it was a
documentary - the people at CalTech really are like that).
Naga Sadow|9.13.08 @ 2:03AM|#
I bit late but I couldn't help but notice JGR's comment. So I ask you JGR with no ill will meant . . . WHAT???
dpsc:|9.13.08 @ 4:31AM|#
Naga: You need to get with the fucking program. JGR made a kind
of dumb joke about Doc Holliday. It was based on the fact that the
good doctor died of lung disease- probly picked up from his mom
(like the VD I picked up from your mom.)
I'd like to die under northern stars, and steal a line from him:
"Damn, that was funny."
Naga Sadow|9.13.08 @ 11:47AM|#
Seems incredibly over elaborate to be a joke. Each to his own I suppose. Also, go fuck yourself! When you see her prescription of Valtrex just sittin' on the nightstand, turn around and leave. Don't go ahead and do your thing and afterwards bitch about the herpes. Whiner.
|9.13.08 @ 9:22PM|#
Best Chris Knight line:
Self-realization. I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates,
who said, "I drank what?"
|9.14.08 @ 2:26AM|#
Typical idiotic rhetoric by people who know nothing of what they
are writing about.
More of the same; when someone attempts to preserve or restore our
second amendment rights, there's always talk of how everyone and
their brother will be lugging Barrett rifles and the like around
town. Oh, and don't forget about the blood that would run in the
streets.
|9.14.08 @ 4:05PM|#
More mindless cluck and braying from stupid dummycrat donkey-hen i mean its like what happens when judges declare some gun control or gun ban as unconstitutional and the liberal news media make some stupid comments that it will lead to bloodshead and carnage i mean the NYTs vulture gose to some place expecting a feast and ends up starving and these liberals must have brains smaller then walnuts
|9.21.08 @ 1:57AM|#
You people are so silly. You're not even talking about the article any more. My advice to Naga: Don't carry the shotgun.
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