December 30, 2020

Why we can't have nice things part 3.

Before part 3 I have an addendum to part 2. It appears that the ATF has also noticed that the difference between a SBR and a 'pistol' with an arm brace is indiscernible. They posted a request for comment regarding these definitions and receiving only answers from gunners have decided to make no changes to the ATF handbook. So, having admitted that the two are the same one remains legal and the other not. Go figure.

Now to continue:

These are guns. I think we can all agree on that, right? Pretty obvious.



This is also a gun. It is a gun because the ATF handbook defines a gun as the 'receiver' or the part of a gun to which the barrel, trigger and other parts are attached. Because it is a gun it has a serial number and is traceable from the point of manufacture (or import) to the final sale through a FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee).



This is NOT a gun. It has no serial number and therefore cannot be traced. It can be bought over the internet by anyone of any age without a background check. ANYONE. Including felons, people with a mental health restriction and underage minors. Anyone can also all the other 'parts' and 'accessories' that are not classified as 'guns' and serial numbered.



Why is it NOT a gun? Because it cannot be fitted with some of the parts necessary to meet the ATF's handbook definition of a 'gun'. Compare it to the 'gun' above and you will notice that there are some holes drilled in the 'gun' that don't appear in the 'not a gun'. It is, in gun parlance, an 80% receiver; not completely finished. Anyone with an inexpensive drill press from Home Depot can drill those holes with enough precision to make it a 'gun' and it is legal for anyone to complete weapon assembled from this 80% receiver and other non regulated parts and accessories. The only restriction is that it can't be sold. Confused yet? Yeah, me too.

So anyone, including criminals, can buy and assemble a gun from 'parts and accessories'. These are known as Ghost Guns and they are entirely unregulated and becoming a major problem for law enforcement.

https://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-br-hartford-north-end-shooting-arrest-20201130-qqoi7lnu45d7bloreeisbirsie-story.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/us/atf-raid-ghost-gun-manufacturer-invs/index.html

https://www.wwlp.com/news/crime/cocaine-heroin-seized-after-narcotics-investigation-on-cliftwood-street-in-springfield/

30% of crime guns in CA are Ghost Guns.
https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/sep/29/california-sues-us-regulator-bid-deter-ghost-guns/


This epidemic has no vaccine. It's up to us, you and me, to bring this insanity under control. Join an anti gun violence organization of your choice. Give money, join, go to meetings, write letters to the editor and your representatives. Make your voice heard.

Part 1 here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/126213614

Part 2 here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/126213620

December 28, 2020

Why we can't have nice things part 2.

This is legal, it can be bought in any gun store with a background check.



This is not legal, it's barrel is too short and it is regulated under the National Firearms Act as a 'short barrel rifle' (SBR).



This is legal. It is not a short barrel rifle, it is a pistol. It is available over the counter at any gun store with the standard background check. It is equipped with an arm brace which is a legal accessory.



Can you see the differences between a SBR and a pistol with an arm brace? Yeah, me neither.

What's the big deal with an SBR? A rifle is more accurate, more easily controlled and more lethal than a pistol for a variety of reasons. A SBR is easily concealed compared to a full length rifle.

These 'pistols' are useless for 'self defense' or sport shooting. They are strictly designed to be easily concealed so as to penetrate a target and create maximum casualties in minimum time.

It's past time to stop pussy footing around and act on the FUNCTIONALITY that makes weapons deadly, not some picayune definition. Make all semi auto weapons that are easily and quickly reloaded illegal on the civilian market.

This epidemic has no vaccine. It's up to us, you and me, to bring this insanity under control. Join an anti gun violence organization of your choice. Give money, join, go to meetings, write letters to the editor and your representatives. Make your voice heard.

Part 1 here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/126213614

December 23, 2020

This is why we can't have nice things. Part 1.

I actually believe that the ATF is working for the gun industry. They are charged with defining the things that make guns (and explosives) easily available to the public at large. This is done with entries into the ATF Handbook, not by legislation. The Handbook defines Machine Gun thus:

Until recently, using this definition, this is a machine gun:



And this is not:



Notice the difference? Yeah, me neither. The 'difference' is that the Bump Stock uses springs and mechanics to allow the trigger to re-set meaning that the gun fires one bullet for one trigger pull. The Bump Stock allows the shooter to pull the trigger up too 600 times a minute. But it's not a machine gun, right?

Under pressure from the Trump administration (even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then) the ATF re-wrote the definition to classify a Bump Stock as a gun bringing it under the jurisdiction of the ATF. Note that they did not change the definition of Machinegun, only reclassified the Bump Stock as a gun.

It is these arcane bits of minutia that allows the gun industry to thwart the intent of any legislation to restrict firearms. How long do you think it will take for the gun nuts to find a work around to achieve the same function that skirts the ATF handbook and thus legislation?

The entire structure of gun governance needs to be seriously considered and overhauled. The actual functionality of guns needs to be the basis of legislation, not some arcane entry into the ATF handbook made by clerical staff without oversight.

This epidemic has no vaccine. It is up to you and me to make these changes. Support an anti gun violence organization of your choice. Give money, join, attend meetings and add to their voice. Lives depend on it.

Part 2 and 3 coming soon.