Should Congress Ban High-Capacity Ammo Clips?

February 11, 2011 RSS Feed Print

The tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz., last month has spurred a renewed effort in Congress to ban high-volume ammunition clips. Advocates say such a ban would save lives, while gun rights activists say it would endanger law-abiding citizens.
Edited by Robert Schlesinger

Yes

Michael Nutter
Mayor of Philadelphia and second vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors

Since Congress allowed the federal assault weapons ban to lapse in 2004, we’ve seen tragedy after tragedy as deranged killers unleashed deadly firepower, murdering dozens of innocents. At Fort Hood, Texas, on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and at a workplace shooting in Manchester, Conn., ...

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No

Chris Cox
Executive director of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action

Since the senseless January 8 attack on Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her innocent constituents, NRA members have joined our fellow Americans in offering thoughts and prayers for the victims, for their families, and for the Tucson community. Yet while we grieved, anti-Second Amendment...

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Should Congress ban high-volume ammo clips?

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gun control and gun rights,
Gabrielle Giffords

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Motor Vehicles with High Capacity Horsepower, that's what we should go after next. In the US, one of the greatest killers (roughly 400% that of gun violence) is vehicle related. Modify all vehicles so as to have over 150HP and not exceed 70 MPH. I guarantee most people will survive their would be fatal crashes.

common argument: Why do you need more than 10 rounds? = Why do you need a car with the capability to surpass speed limits/outrun police?

Both are equally silly.

But, who wants to live a world where so many precautions have been taken that we no longer get to make our own decisions... What clothing I wear, which house I buy, which car I drive, Which Firearm I own. I own a Glock 17, . I am *currently* required by state law to limit my magazines to 10 rounds. No one is safer for that. And I have to pay double for mags with half capacity. It just creates a new class of criminal and makes owning weapons that much more hazardous for the gun owner. What is Legal in Oregon is a Felony on California's side of the imaginary line. People have been harming people in vastly creative ways for the better part of 10,000 years. Politicians aren't your friend, you are their Job security. Real solutions? Why do kids join gangs in the first place? What steps can be taken to minimize economically or socially disenfranchised people. Isn't murder already illegal? Those are the important questions. Issues such as mag capacity is really just there to give the political machine something to do. something to accomplish or not. Like Pro Wrestling or something hinging on some other type of drama.

Besides with Human Population soaring out of control, saving X many lives each year with un-demacratic laws, seems like small potatos.

Lastly, Two people I loved have been murdered with a Firearm. But, That's the way it goes. Such is life. I feel no impulse to restrict the rights of others because of any tragedy in my own life. I just live and live and live... Others should do the same.

Rick of CA 7:09PM March 03, 2011

POO POO PEE PEE POO POO

kakaman of KY 3:59AM March 01, 2011

A ninnyfied nanny state where no one is treated as an adult or a wild west shoot'em up?

I've been on both ends of guns and I know it's a tough question. Freedom has a price and that's always been less security - the price of security is always less freedom.

Bottom line; training and regulation to the degree necessary to keep "most" guns out of the hands of wackos. Nothing's perfect.

Regarding high capacity clips - well, there is no real need of more than a 10 round magazine in a rifle or pistol - not even for law enforcement. But, it is fun to rip off a string of 20 plus rounds. That said, I'd be happy to give up high capacity magazines if wackos couldn't get hold of 'em.... These days, ammo's too darn expensive to shoot up like that anyway.

If folks had any common sense this wouldn't be an issue in the first place. Too bad you can't buy it.... more important than high capacity magazines or more laws.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 12:34PM February 25, 2011

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