In reply to Mr. Bill Rifkin’s article in the last Ledger, “automatic weapons” have been banned since 1934. Some states allow people to own some older firearms after a strict background check and paying a $200 tax. The price range of most of these firearms is between $6,000 and $10,000.
As far as “exploding-armor piercing” ammo, you will be happy to know the NRA has led the fight to ban them. Bullets that can pierce bulletproof vests have been around since the Civil War. Any common hunting round can pierce a vest. The common AR-15 is used 50% for target shooting, 30% for hunting and 20% for self-defense.
If you are talking about the people versus the U.S. government, the most advanced military in the world, simply look to how Russia and the U.S. did in Afghanistan. If you think our military and guard units will fire on their friends and neighbors because they have a firearm that is painted black, I hope we never find out.
We also hear that the AR-15 is a “high power” weapon; it is much less powerful than any firearm used in World War I. In some states it is not powerful enough to be allowed for hunting deer. Can it kill someone? Yes, of course, but you are 10 times more likely to be killed by a baseball bat than any gun.
South Salem, Jan. 18