Banning rifles because it "LOOKS menacing", “LOOKS like a military weapon” or because it uses a pistol GRIP? Yes that's a joke..
"Assault Weapons" that civilians can legally buy provide the same functionality as most Hunting rifles.
Both are semi-automatic. Semi-auto means ONE bullet is fired for each time the trigger is pulled. To fire again you must release the trigger and pull again. Almost all Hand Guns are in fact semi-automatic!
a quick look at murders from 2006 to 2010 (pulled from fbi.gov):
4147 deaths from personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc)
3031 from blunt objects (clubs, hammers, etc)
1980 deaths from rifles.
Now, I'm not trying to belittle those deaths.. they are all tragic and I wish never happened. But to ban guns, just simply wont stop deaths/murders.
It's my belief that if somehow we were to remove every single gun (mind you ANY firearm).. those gun related deaths WOULD STILL HAPPEN. Just by other means... hands, feet, knives, bats.. frying pans..
If a criminal wants to do harm.. he/she does not need a rifle or gun to do so.
Joe Biden admits Assuault Weapons account for a very small fraction of incidents in the latest "Fireside hangout" he hosted.
Bottom line, I think banning gun based on looks or features is just a waste of time.
I like the idea of gun education. Education, education, education! Even for those that might be afraid of guns. You could still take a class that teaches basic safety rules/guidelines with out even touching a real gun. If it piques your interest, then continue on to a more advanced classes. Or not, but then you'd still have basic safety knowledge at hand.
Guns in schools, there has been an idea bouncing around of employing dedicated officers to patrol schools. I think that's a great idea to be honest. and I mean why not? Maybe go as far as employing trained security guards. As long as there are adequate measures taken to ensure they are trained and mentally fit to be armed guards.
Educate yourself
