No, I do not think an extension is needed. Again, all I stated was my personal opinion. I fully support the NRA and will be just as happy to see the ban end as everyone else here. If the "assault" type firearm is something someone wants, then good. I was disgusted to see it get passed in the first place. To each his own. There are a lot of different types of guns that appeal to everyone differently. I have gotten a lot of slack at times for having single shot pistols, just because it is not someone else's forte'.

I truely apologize if my statements offended anyone here. That was not the intent.

I think citizens of our country should own anything they want. I have never made any negative remarks to gentlemen I have shot next to at shooting ranges, that were using semi-auto firearms. To the contrary, I have normally inquired as to type of weapon, loads, etc. concerning their "toy". I actually find them interesting. I have no problem with them having it, it's just not my thing.

I really enjoy the topics brought up on these forums and try to take part when I feel I have something to contribute, and hope to continue to do so in the future. I guess I should have just stayed out of this one.

Good shooting,

HBL

hbl,
It's easy to look at our current situation and make judgements. But where you and the Anti's are missing the boat is the future. By supporting the ban you not only say we don't need them, but also saying our children will never need them.
If your a Christian, you know of the wars and violence that will eventually lead to the second coming. If you have followed the events of the last few years, you have seen a bloodbath in Rwanda, Concentration camps in Bosina, and not even getting into the butchering that happened in Iraq and Kuwait.
But, the last 55 years of relative peace has left Americans so fat, happy, and stupid that we think we are invincible. Yet, its surprising how fast things could change. Nobody predicted even 6 months in advance that the second most powerful nation in the world would fall (Russia).
I strongly feel that the day will come when our children will curse the Ban, everyone involved in its implementation, and those of us who sat on our asses and let it happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030514_1298.html

Here is a start in the right direction, I hope. Some of it is good any how... We will have to wait an see on the rest...

Later...

I would like to remind everyone on this long list of replies, including those with "uncertainties" about "assault weapons", our freedom was won with the "assault weapons" of the day.
That long battle and the Bill of Rights that followed gave us the freedom to chose. You now have the right to say yes or no to own a weapon (if that is what you want to call them) but you do not have the right to take my choice away. Voice your opinion to the politicians and help repeal this illeagle ban.

This whole gun ban thing is a very sensitive issue for everyone. I have met people that have had loved ones taken from them by sensless acts of violence. I have heard some say, if there were no guns this would have never happened. The truth is you never know. If that person was out to hurt and rob people if he did not have a gun I am sure he would have had some else that would be just as lethal. Onthe other side of the fence is the person that says if he would have been armed then that would have never happened. Like I said before, you never know the outcome of any situation until it is over but I could geuss the armed person's survivability is much higher than that of the unarmed. Everyday you here people say that guns cause these crimes and they should be taken out of homes and off the streets. So you are telling me that because I am not doing anything illegal with my pistol, that I should not own one because some guy three states away robbed a gas station with a stolen one.
Another website I saw was the Daniel Mauser memorial website. It is a sight started by his dad. Daniel was one of the kids that died at Columbine. I think it was very tragic what happened there.
Daniel Mauser's Memorial page
Look at some of the comments made on that site.
Like does one really need a .357 Magnum to protect himself. That is how many of them think, but where does it stop. I am an active duty Marine. I stood duty as part of a security force in Afganistan. If the U.S. government feels I am responsible enough to protect the lives of hundreds of Marines, Soldiers, and Airmen, and also the freedoms of every American. Who is someone to tell me I cannot own a firearm to protect myself or my family and property. It is going to be a long time before all this is said and done with. I hope the gun owners come out on top. I don't want to tell my grandchildren that when I was their age it was legal to own a gun, I want to teach them how to properly handle and shoot a gun.

[ 06-05-2003, 08:12: Message edited by: j_dude ]

If you have not already, I recommend that everybody here read the book "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. Not for the squeamish.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Unintended+Consequences&userid=2VIEANS3NI&cds2Pid=946

I personally believe that if the Constitutional Convention and Congressional representatives met in the late 20th Century, instead of the late 18th Century, the 'modern' representatives would never write a second amendment as a right.
Modern representatives don't really trust all the people and are pained even by one loss of life, as if any of us can survive forever.

In a way it's not whether the president is for or against the 'assault gun ban.' Congress must pass a new law to ban 'assault guns.' Then the president would get the chance to sign it or veto the bill.

Deep down, even some supporters of the NRA, do not like aspects of the 2nd Amendment. It by implications allows regular citizens to own modern arms. Modern arms are dangerous and assault arms really dangerous.

"Modern representatives don't really trust all the people and are pained even by one loss of life, as if any of us can survive forever."

Generalizing can be dangerous. My Representative George Nethercutt, who I know pretty well, is in full support of the Second Ammendment. If yours isn't, you need a new Representative.

Look at this from GW's perspective. He says he'll support an extension knowing full well that the House isn't going to pass it. It's a win-win for him... the legislation doesn't pass and the moderates think of him as a reasonable man. He wins from all angles but from us... some of his most loyal and staunch supporters.... That ain't right!?

No I don't appreciate the apparent waffling but he's my man!! We need to continue supporting him. BIG TIME!! I certainly believe it's appropriate to express your disappointment in his apparent waffling but we MUST support him. Think about it... if the "other guy" (whatever his name was) was in office he'd be actively lobbying for an extension.. in fact he's be pushing for a wider ban!! Right? Express your disappointment but don't threaten him... you'll be labeled an extremist and your input will be discounted. It's human nature. It's politics.

And HBL.... What are you thinking pal. You've taken a beating here and I don't want to add to the bruises but we need to stand on our resolve that the RIGHT to bear arms is a RIGHT. We can't just support the rights we choose to exercise. We must protect all of our rights. I don't want to reiterate all of the points mentioned here but I do ask you to reevaluate your position on the so called "assault rifles." They are no more "effective" or dangerous than your basic BAR. Should it also be classified as an assault rifle? And then what any gun that has a magazine (we've already seen magazines that hold more than 10 banned)? And then it will be your beloved single shot.

Make no mistake about it, the opposition is out for a TOTAL ban... a little at a time... and they are relentless!!

We need to stay together on this AND support our man!

Dear Mr. HBL:
The answer is not to put the gun in jail. The answer is to put any SOB who uses one illegally in jail, for a long time and in a cell with an obscenely overweight homosexual with horrendous body odor.