"Bush aide urges weapons ban to slow Mexican drug war."

[Katya Mullethov]

excerpt from Jerry Seper's article in the Washington Times:

"The former head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection called Monday for the U.S. to reinstitute the ban on assault weapons and take other measures to rein in the war between Mexico and its drug cartels, saying the violence has the potential to bring down legitimate rule in that country. Former CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner also called for the United States to more aggressively investigate U.S. gun sellers and tighten security along its side of the border, describing the situation as 'critical' to the safety of people in both countries, whether they live near the border or not... He said some studies have shown that many of the weapons obtained by Mexican drug traffickers come from the U.S., and much of their funding comes from U.S. drug sales. He called for U.S. authorities to begin more aggressive investigations of U.S. gun sellers and to reinstitute the ban on assault weapons... At least three other efforts to pass new legislation banning the weapons have not been successful. In February, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. said the ban should be reinstated, but Mr. Obama has since said he would not push its reinstatement even though it 'made sense.'"

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/17/weapons-ban-urged-to-rein-in-mexican-drug-war/?page=2

[JonQ]

1. No

and it won't work anyway.

[cabluedem]

2. Its about time to ban those weapons for good. nt

[PavePusher]

5. And which ones would "those weapons" be...?

Bet you can't give a clear, concise definition of what you want banned, without including Constitutionally protected items.

Go for it...

[spin]

6. Nasty evil looking black semi-auto weapons for a start...

good looking wood stocked semi-auto hunting rifles next. (Sniper rifles)

Then all semi-auto weapons, rifles, shotguns and handguns.

Followed by any remaining firearm that can shoot more than one round without reloading.

Then all remaining firearms including black powder weapons and airguns (even though airguns are not firearms).

Finally any pocket knife that has a locking blade or a blade length greater than two inches.

Oh, of course, kitchen knifes will have to have rounded points.

That's probably the real answer to your question if the person you asked honestly replied.

(But when all was said and done, the law would permit rich, famous and influential people to own firearms for a substantial fee.)

[PavePusher]

11. People who want to ban parts of tools simply baffle me.

A locking blade on a folding knife is a safety device.

A sound suppressor on a firearm is a safety device.

A pistol grip on a rifle is a safety device.

An ajustable stock is a safety device.

A barrel shroud is a safety device.

A flash suppressor is a safety device.

Why are these people against safety devices? It's for the chuuuuulllldreeeeeeeeen.



Sorry, I'm posting pre-coffee.

[spin]

13. I refuse to carry any folding pocket knife that doesn't lock the blade open...

and I refuse to carry any pocket knife that has a cheap lock.

When I carry a pocket knife, I carry a Spyderco Endura or a Benchmade 710 axis lock. I have great confidence in these knives.

I actually prefer to carry and use a fixed blade knife. The one I have on my side right now is a BRKT Woodland Special with a blade just over 3". It's a lot easier to clean up if I use it for food prep.



But for really tough jobs, I have the Spyderco Endura with a fully serrated blade in my pocket.

[JonQ]

8. No it isn't

and it wouldn't improve the situation at all.

[SteveM]

14. Would a ban include my 1905 Winchester '03 .22? It's semi-auto (nt)

[Arctic Dave]

3. ChaChing! Looks like the prices will go up!

The gun cartels thank you.

[X_Digger]

4. "studies have shown"

I love how press releases from the MX consulate get muddled, fondled, and folded until it becomes "studies have shown".

Really? What university or researcher has done a scientific study? No? Didn't think so.

[spin]

7. Occasionally the Violence Policy Center (VPC) publishes a study...

which is as fair and balanced as Fox News.

[krispos42]

9. Doubtless...

...going from this:





To this:





Will have a positive effect on the cartel wars in Mexico.

[Euromutt]

10. But neither of those is an "assault weapon" (except in California)

Both are semi-auto rifles with detachable magazines, but the top one only has a pistol grip (no folding/collapsible stock, bayonet lug or threaded muzzle capable of accepting a muzzle flash hider), while the bottom one only has a threaded muzzle (unless that's a muzzle brake rather than a flash hider, in which case it's not even an "assault weapon" in California).

[east texas lib]

12. Yes, indeed!

No self respecting cartel enforcer would willingly employ the rifle in the second photo. Why, they
would be ridiculed, any street credibility would vanish! Oh, the horror!:o