It's rifle season for deer here in Connecticut, so I've heard at least three or four gunshots today from the woods around my house, two of them followed after a few seconds by another, which would of course be the kill shot. (My property is embedded in state forest, and I've also signed permission for a couple of people to hunt on it.) One thing that these are not, however, is semi-automatic rifle fire.
Digby gives a free link to a WaPo article about the effects of AR-15 type weapons, including photos from mass shootings. Many people have chosen not to look at them. It's up to you, but the Post is just trying to tell us all the truth. I do have one problem with the article, however. It says "The review lays bare how the AR-15, a weapon that has soared in popularity over the past two decades as a beloved tool for hunting, target practice and self-defense, has also given assailants the power to instantly turn everyday American gathering places into zones of gruesome violence."
No. It is not a beloved tool for hunting, nor is it useful for self-defense. Why the authors could be so ignorant about a subject they have presumably researched is a mystery. However, there is only one use for the AR-15 and that is to kill humans. It is a weapon of war, developed for the U.S. army. It is not a hunting weapon and it is very difficult to imagine any circumstances in which a person might end up using it for self defense. While it is important to emphasize that the large majority of fire-arm related deaths in the U.S. are caused by handguns, there is no reason why it should be legal for civilians to own semi-automatic rifles of any kind. And no, they have nothing to do with hunting.
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I'm an editor for a living, and I'm astounded at the increasing number of errors that I see every day, even when it comes to simple proofreading. The chyrons beneath the Talking Heads on the teevee are loaded with errors.
The irony of all this is that the garbage coming out of the mouths of the talking heads is filled with factual errors, such as the ones you pointed out in the article discussed in today's blog. People don't need additional misinformation flashing on the screen while they are supposed to be listening to the supposed news. There is simply a flood of constant mis- and disinformation. Many people believe what they hear and see. And, as Voltaire wrote, those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities ... or at least make you believe that a vote for a man like Shitler is rational ... due to the flood of disinformation that isn't bothering to tell you what a troubled monster he is.
Switzerland is awash in guns.
Semi-auto rifles and, yes, even fully automatic rifles (machineguns) and yet they don't have these problems. The Swiss have common sense regulations, not bat-shit crazy stuff that doesn't do anything such as the ill-fated Assault Weapons Ban that lasted 10 years and helped only the politicians strutting around as if they'd really done something.
If you really wanted to solve the problem, you'd look to who has been successful and take some lessons.
Swiss gun laws
Swiss gun laws require most people buying weapons to obtain a weapons acquisition permit. In order to qualify for a permit, certain conditions need to be met: the applicant must be aged over 18, they must not have a criminal record related to violence and they must not be regarded as a threat to themselves or others.
Are guns legal in Switzerland?
Generally speaking, guns are legal in Switzerland, but only with the proper licencing, permits and use restrictions. If you wish to carry your weapon in public places, you need to obtain a permit, which is only issued if you can show a proper need, for example, those working in the Swiss police, private security or defence. You also need to pass an exam to demonstrate your understanding of firearms.
Unlike in some other European countries, you do not need a permit to transport weapons within Switzerland. However, it is a requirement under Swiss law to make sure that while transporting weapons there is no ammunition inside the firearms. In order to bring firearms from another country into Switzerland, you need to obtain an import permit. It is important to note that the European Weapons Pass is not accepted as an import permit.
What kind of guns are allowed in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, a number of different objects are classed as weapons. This means that all firearms, daggers, knives, self-defence sprays, as well as CO2 guns, imitation firearms, blank cartridges and airsoft guns are classed as weapons.
Under Swiss law, weapons are categorised into three different groups: weapons that must be declared, weapons for which a permit is required, and illegal weapons.
For weapons that need to be declared, such as manual repetition rifles for hunting, airsoft guns, blank cartridge guns and paintball guns, you need to obtain a written contract explaining where you purchased the firearm. Non-Swiss nationals who do not possess a C-residence permit (Settlement) will also need to apply for a weapon acquisition permit at their local cantonal weapons office.
For weapons such as pistols, revolvers and semi-automatic rifles with a small magazine, a weapons acquisition permit is required. You can apply for a weapons acquisition permit and other firearms permits from your cantonal weapons office.
Other larger or more dangerous weapons such as semi-automatic firearms with a large magazine, machine guns, electric shock devices, daggers, automatic blades, butterfly knives and knuckledusters are illegal in Switzerland, though can be obtained in extreme circumstances by applying for an exemption at a cantonal weapons authority. . . .
Guns and the Swiss Army: Does Switzerland give its citizens guns?
The Swiss Army conscripts soldiers through national service and trains them to use weapons for military use. Unlike in other countries, Swiss law permits soldiers to take their weapons home with them and store them. However, it is not permitted for soldiers to take ammunition and store it at home alongside their service weapons.
Good Stuff.
However, here's the part of the article that you conveniently omitted.
Rates of gun ownership are surprisingly high in Switzerland, and a lot of newcomers are often surprised to find out how many people own weapons in the country. Here's what you need to know about gun laws in Switzerland.
It's pretty clear that while the Swiss have more restrictions, it's not difficult for law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
And, isn't that what everyone wants?
It is my understanding that when the AR-15 was developed the emphasis was not so much on killing the enemy but on maiming him. A casualty who can't fight is much more expensive to deal with than a corpse. This may help explain why it is singularly unsuited for hunting,
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