[SEMIJim]

Btw: I'd like to note something at this point. A lot of readers are probably thinking, right about now, "So what? It seems to me banning military-style weapons to civilians is a good thing." Putting aside for the moment that civilians having such firearms was one of the, if not the major reason for the Second Amendment, don't think your favourite firearm won't be next. If you don't believe it, just look at what's happened in the U.K., where it is now virtually impossible to own anything other than a shotgun (holding no more than three rounds) or bolt-action rifle (the latter for which you must provide justification to own). Handguns or semi-automatic firearms of any kind are strictly prohibited. They have now added airguns and imitation guns to the list of restricted item.

Next the banners turned their eyes toward knives. These are also highly restricted. You are not allowed to carry any knife with a locking blade, for example. How handy would that be aboard ship, eh?

"Assault weapons" is a term made-up by gun-banners, btw, and means "whatever we define them to be at the moment". So today "assault weapons" are "military-looking things." Mark my words: Let them have their way and someday your 5-round-magazine, semi-automatic bird gun will be an "assault weapon." Someday your heavy-barreled, scoped, bolt-action varmint rifle will be a "sniper rifle." By that time handguns will be a thing of the past.

Jim