re: #183 kirkspencer

No, you don’t get it. this conversation has been about assault weapons. so that’s what I’ve been discussing. Further I’ve explained multiple times why those “cosmetic features” are significant, why they matter. They don’t do JACK for more or less killing. (Well, except for the detachable magazine). What they do is create identifiable characteristics consistently found on this particular type of weapon.

You’re right. Eliminating assault rifles won’t have a major impact on the deaths. They are used in less than 10% of homicides an even smaller proportion of suicides.

HOWEVER, assault weapons also includes some types of pistols. Again, yes, the identifying elements are in some ways cosmetic. Further these are fewer than 15% of pistols sold in the US. But they get used at a greater rate in crimes and homicides. (not so much for suicides) It’s another reduction.

“Assault Weapons” include pistols for reasons of statutes that predated the 1994 ‘Crime Bill’ and that the AWB needed to conform to. The ‘Assault Weapons Ban is an example of the old joke:

“How did God create the world in 7 days? God didn’t have an Installed Base.”