The Assault Weapons Ban is a failed attempt at gun control and will not work again.
Taking its cue from sophomore gun enthusiast Harry Hixon, the government should not mandate to the population what they need, and instead should punish for actions rather than possessions.
The ban is more of a show to prove to citizens that politicians are doing something to protect the states and citizens that elected them. Bans on the local and state levels were found to be ineffective in Gary Kleck’s book “Point Blank.”
The previous ban and the current proposed ban do not provide a safer America, but merely a cosmetic anticrime legislation.
Previous bans on firearms have proved ineffective. After instituting a firearm ban in 1996, Australia experienced a 3.2 percent increase in homicide countrywide and 300 percent increase in the Victoria state. Australia also had a 45 percent increase in armed robberies, with assaults up 8.6 percent. For the preceding years, Australia had a slight decrease in crime (worldnetdaily.com).
Gun control did not work in Australia, and would not be effective in the United States.
According to research by Christopher Koper in a report to the National Institute of Justice, the ban’s effects on gun violence were too small for reliable measurement. If the previous ban produced no noticeable results, then gun control should not be an issue.
The assault weapons ban was cosmetic at most and was not effective. A stricter control would only bring catastrophic effects like those of Australia.
Many people think that assault weapons, due to their semi automatic and automatic firepower, are more hazardous. Criminals could kill more victims faster with assault weapons.
Assault weapons are more effective due to features such as a flash suppressor, folding or retractable stock and pistol grip. Yet the pistol grip makes shooting more difficult, according to Hixon. The folding stock supposedly makes a gun easier to conceal, but decreases its effectiveness in aiming.
Before the ban, Koper states that between 1 and 8 percent of guns were assault weapons.
The banned guns could also be replaced with legal substitutes or other exempt semi automatic weapons.
Gun rights are indeed a conservative value, but also a liberal one. Allowing citizens to carry guns means that the government trusts its citizens. If the government treats people like children, they will soon behave like children.
Guns also give equality. A 100 lb. man has no chance against a 250 lb. thug, unless he has a gun and can disable the thug in order to run away.
Gun control did not work in the U.S. before and will not work in the future. Banning guns eliminates the first crime deterrent: protected citizens.
Instituting another permanent ban is first, against the U.S. Constitution and second, an ineffective anticrime legislation.