eric, be careful with your use of terms. "automatic" rifles and pistols are in
common usage by civilians, but the word automatic used in that context means
the weapon chambers another round and cocks the gun "automatically" after each
fired round.

However "fully automatic" (which keep firing as long as the trigger is pulled,
and means "machine guns" to most people) are not much represented in the
civilian population (there is a $250 yearly fee involved, and a lot of scrutiny
by law enforcement at all levels). machine guns are far and away more common
in the military.

many of the "assault weapons" forbidden under the old law were legally sold to
civilians once the magazines and flash suppressors were removed. same firing
power but you don't look as cool to your buddies and you can't fire but maybe
six (?) rounds before reloading (as opposed to 18 to 30 with a magazine fed
weapon) and reloading is slower. big deal.

"Eric Currier"
Date: 10/15/2004 1:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: EyJbd.61530$tU4.19280@okepread06

Automatic weapons are NOT illegal, and have not been for many years, with
proper paperwork and fees not only can a law abiding citizen own an
automatic weapon, but the fact of the matter is there are more automatic
weapons in private hands than there are in both law enforcment and military
hands.
The other fact of the matter is the "assualt weapon" ban was a useless piece
of legislation and anyone who believes it's demise will cause machine gun
toting criminals to overrun our streets is someone who does not understand
guns, and gets all thier information from the liberal media.

As for the question on the flare pistol, why post a question here? write to
the company that makes the flare pistol and get the truth from the people
who know exactllay what laws apply and how they apply...it's thier
livelyhood.

Eric

"Keith" wrote in message
...
Automatic weapons have been illegal for years, and still are for the
general
public. The term "assualt weapon" is poorly defined, and was just made up
to
ban a few rifles that "looked bad". GWB didn't do anything... the bill
banning those "assualt weapons" hit it's sunset date, and ended without
congress trying to re-enact it. At least they had some sense.

Your misconceptions are just what the anti-gun lobby wants. Sorry you fell
for it.

--


Keith
__
A 'good' return to your slip is one from which you can walk away. A
'great'
return is one after which they can use the boat again.

"Lauri Tarkkonen" wrote in message

Of course a flare pistol is not a very efficient weapon if killing the
other person is the only option. I understand why GWB has to free the
sales of automatic assault rifles. You really seems to need them.

- Lauri Tarkkonen