How would you enforce a ban on "assault" weapons?

[bluestateguy]

I often ask this question of the anti-abortion crowd. How do you propose to enforce the laws that you are advocating? Who would you put in jail for breaking the law? How do you propose that law enforcement prevent the laws against abortion from being broken in the first place?

If you ban these types of guns, what makes you think people will turn them in?

More so, what makes you think the criminals will turn them in?

What would you have happen to people who choose not to turn in their banned guns?

How would you enforce the law?

[ZombieHorde]

1. A more rigid police state could enforce the ban with some degree of success.

Place metal detecting check points all over the place with no-nonsense armed guards. Then start "random" searches of peoples homes.

You still won't get them all, survivalists up in the mountains would still be difficult. Planed forest fires would help kill off survivalist communes.

[MercutioATC]

2. The old AWB didn't ban possession, it banned importation and sale.

If the government tries to confiscate existing firearms, people will die...

[geckosfeet]

3. Oooooo. Scary.

To the OP's point, I wouldn't ban them. I would regulate them.

There are legitimate uses and reasons for ownership.

[MercutioATC]

5. If they tried confiscation, probably 20% of gun owners would hide their guns.

...and 5% would violently resist.

Just out of curiosity, what criteria would you advocate for gun ownership?

[virginia mountainman]

6. I have no desire to REGISTER any gun I have..

Yes, I LEGALLY own them.... But pass any registration law, and I will balk....

Actually, I don't know ANYONE here locally that WOULD comply, other than "token" registrations of cheap guns.....

Many of my arms are heirlooms, and some where even banned during the first AW ban. These weapons belong to the family, they where intrusted to my care, to pass on to my descendants. NO BUREAUCRAT WILL HAVE ANY SAY IN "WHO GETS WHAT"...

These weapons are clearly our right to own...Not a privilege...

And big ol'fuck off, to anyone who thinks any different..

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. Just as your vehicles are also not registered, I'm sure.

Those vehicles belong to the family, they where intrusted to your care, to pass on to your descendants. NO BUREAUCRAT WILL HAVE ANY SAY IN "WHO GETS WHAT"...

These vehicles are clearly our right to own...Not a privilege...

[X_Digger]

10. registration of cars is not required to own..

Only to drive on public highways.. just like you don't have to register guns, but you have to 'register' to carry concealed.

[virginia mountainman]

11. Ahhh... I own a vehicle that is not registered..

And it IS, used on the public roads....it is a FARM VEHICLE....

It is insured but legally it does not need to be, and that is IT....No plates, No inspection sticker....

Granted it does not get driven much on the road, but it does get driven.

Registration is not reqired to own and drive cars....

You are not required to register a vehicle (obtain license plates and decals) or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the vehicle's owner. This exemption applies only to vehicles that are not operated on or over any public highway for any purpose other than:
crossing a highway;

operating along a highway for a distance of no more than thirty miles from one part of the owner's land to another, irrespective of whether the tracts adjoin;

taking the vehicle or attached fixtures to and from a repair shop for repairs;

taking another vehicle exempt from registration under any provision of Va. Code §§ 46.2-664 through 46.2-668 or § 46.2-672, or any part or subcomponent of such a vehicle, to or from a repair shop for repairs, including return trips;

operating along a highway to and from a refuse disposal facility for the purpose of disposing of trash and garbage generated on a farm; or

operating along a highway for a distance of no more than thirty miles for the purpose of obtaining supplies for agricultural or horticultural purposes, seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, or animal feed. (Va. Code § 46.2-665)

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/farm_unregistered.asp

[slackmaster]

14. I own a vehicle and a boat that are not currently registered

There is no requirement for me to do so, until I decide to drive on public roads or go sailing.

[virginia mountainman]

15. *Crickets* NT

[rrneck]

4. The same way

we enforce a ban on illegal drugs.

Oh, wait....

[spin]

7. Most of the local police I know...

have gun collections and strong believers in the Second Amendment.

I remember talking to one and he told me that old line "They'll take my guns from my cold dead fingers."

Of course, this is Florida, things may be different in New York City or San Fransisco.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

8. I would make it illegal for criminals to posses them.

Criminals would include convicted felons, politicians above the rank of mayors and all fortune 500 executives. Every body else can have as many as they can afford.

[krispos42]

12. Any ban would most likely be only on sales of new weapons.

Once "assault weapon" was defined (an arbitrary process), manufacturers would modify their product lines to conform to legal standards.

Of course if a person bought a ban-compliant weapon and them modified them in a way that broke the law, say by adding aftermarket parts or using their basement workshop, there is very little change the police would be aware that the firearm was not in compliance with the ban until years later. Say if the gun was used (offensively or defensively) or it was sold, or the police found it during an unrelated search.

[pipoman]

13. I remember back in the early 1990s

when the 1st AWB was in the legislative process, I was selling wholesale hardware. A few of my customers were buying rifles, ammo, primers, powder, etc because all of these things were in the cross hairs of the legislation. A couple of the same customers were also buying 10" PVC pipe, end caps, and silica gel granules, who had never done so before...go figure.