The 10 year old law banning assault weapons expires at midnight tonight.

For those who would like more info here is a link:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/09/12/gun.ban.ap/index.html

There is no need for assault weapons, imo. Watched an interview the other night with some legislator and a police chief. The chief was not happy the weapons were going to be available, the legislator said the ban made no difference. I think it does, but I don't have stats to back up my belief.

Yes I understand what you mean about stats. I have been reading today at different sites. Some say the ban is ineffective others say no

Here are two sites pro and con:

For The Ban:
http://www.handguncontrol.org/

Against The Ban
http://www.spectacle.org/0304/assault.html


BTW I am trying to understand if GW Bush was against assault weapons why didnt he push congress to extend the ban? Here are some quotes from Bush:

George W. Bush on the Assault Weapons Ban

"It makes no sense for assault weapons to be around our society."
Bush says White House Lax in Enforcing Gun Laws, Houston Chronicle, August 12, 1999

"The president has "made it clear he supports the extension of the assault weapons ban," said White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan.
Uphill Battle for Weapons Ban, Newsday, December 9, 2003.

"[w]ith regard to the assault weapons ban, [President Bush] supports the extension of the current ban."
White House spokesperson Claire Buchan on February 23, 2004.

Just wanted to add:

Washington, DC ? The ban ends at midnight, but already there are signs of what may follow for America's police officers. In Dade County Sunday, a police officer was attacked by an AK-47-wielding assailant. She was shot at least twice, and her police cruiser was left in flames. The gunman reportedly fired some two dozen times.

Sarah Brady, chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March, called on President Bush to engage on the issue and urge Congress to renew the ban "before police are forced to deal with these extreme weapons of war on a regular basis.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the police officer in Miami," Mrs. Brady said. "And our wishes for safety are with all the law enforcement officers in America who work every day to keep our neighborhoods safe. They don't need to face these weapons."

Press reports indicate the Miami-Dade officer was wounded in the shoulder and the forehead. Her cruiser was hit repeatedly by assault weapon fire.

i voted NO.
not b/c i want to own one, but doubt if outlawing them will keep those who really want one from getting one.

studies & statistics don't count for much, as there's always someone who can come along with a well designed study to back any side of social issues like this.

i would rather see very strict guidelines on who is allowed to purchase any weapon.

Yes I can understand what you mean about the stricter guidelines

Just out of curiousity why would you want to own one? For collection purposes?

People have the right to purchase assault weapon. To protect you serial criminals and terrorist going in the street.

I heard in the Media.

Former Pres Bill Clinton Sign the Law way back in his First Terms.

Bill Clinton pass the law banning assault weapon.

Well I kind of think assault weapons as protection is overkill (no pun intended)..lol

A 44 magnum handgun will kill human dead just as quick as would a 12 guage shotgun or most anything thats legal to buy before midnight tonight.

I personally dont see a need for them myself...they are made for one thing killing humans. Its not like you can hunt with them legally.

David you support Bush he doesnt support assault weapons yet he didnt do anything about having this ban extended what do you think about that?

BTW David for someone that lives in the USA and you love your freedom I am sure...you must not feel we are that free if you feel you must have an assault weapon to protect yourself

Just remember we are winning the war on terrorism..lol

personally, i'm not interested in owning one.
i have had the opportunity to fire a mini-15 (semi-auto; legal to own in GA). it was nice to try it, but not something i have a need for or interest in.

really, my only reason for voting NO is that i don't see legislation as the answer to keeping bad people from getting their hands on these guns.
stricter guidelines won't stop that either, but i wish there were stricter laws, THAT WERE ENFORCED, to control and track who has guns.
the unfortunate fact, as i see it, is that as long as someone wants a weapon badly enough, they will find a way to get it legal or otherwise ...

OH ok I misread your post
I thought you said you wanted one

Yes I agree with your statement about if someone wants a weapon bad enough they will find a way