Reasoning for private ownership of assualt guns

[Jakeiscrazy]

Great input guys, but really - I only need to be lectured once. I'm a big boy. Thanks for correcting me (multiple times).

Sorry about that, no offense intended. Now prepare yourself for a million apologizes.

[MNMGoneShooting]

Yep. Duty. I've been saying that American citizens are duty-bound to own and carry guns for years. We are responsible for our own safety and well-being; guns can be useful for that.

Duty-bound? As in binding? So you are saying that I am bound by the constitution; that it's my duty to own weapons?

[WRW]

Yep. Duty. I've been saying that American citizens are duty-bound to own and carry guns for years. We are responsible for our own safety and well-being; guns can be useful for that.

Duty-bound? As in binding? So you are saying that I am bound by the constitution; that it's my duty to own weapons?

If you look around enough, you'll find that the police are not responsible for your safety. You are. You are not bound by the Constitution, you are bound by your personal responsibility to yourself and your family.

[snatale42]

I agree with most, there's no such thing as an "Assault Weapon". In my home state of MA, a semi auto AR-15 is just a rifle, but an adjustable stock, or pistol grip makes it an "Assault Weapon" which obviously makes no sense at all. The term was designed to give the gun grabbers a way to scare the sheep, nothing more. Plus, as it's already been said we don't NEED a reason to own one. By trying to rationalize buying one is the same as agreeing with the Anti's.

[thekinetic]

Personally I hate composite stocks and polymer, I would rather have a heavy wooden stock than a light poly any day.

Also for my personal opinion on ARs, besides the fact that the ones on the market are nothing more than fancy rifles (burst and full auto make them ARs), I say if you can't get the kill in one shot don't take the shot. Which pretty much makes an AR superfluous.

Not saying I wouldn't want to own a full auto weapon.....say a Thompson sub machinegun!

[M1A4ME]

Handguns can't be assualt weapons. By definition a handgun is designed for defensive use, not offensive use (assault). While one may be used for offensive use you should be smart enough to take a rifle if you're going looking for trouble.

I can't really call a shotgun (not a shotgun developed from a hunting shotgun) an assault weapon as it holds less rounds than most defensive handguns and has less range (with most ammo) than a good handgun.

While many rifles these days are developed from assault rifles they are not assault rifles if they have no provision for fully automatic firing. Does our Army issue semi auto rifles to its infantry companies? One or two here and there for situations the general issue assault rifles are not really suited for.

This is sort of like the phrase "high capacity magazines". My M1A was designed with the idea of using the standard 20 round GI magazine. So my 20 round magazines are not high capacity, they are standard issue. My AR15 was designed to use the standard GI issue 30 round magazine. So those aren't high capacity either.

Falling in to the traps of using the deceitful words of the liberals (socialists with pretty paint, or is it something else?) to describe things they don't approve of only gives them more power and influence with the people who don't understand the world as it is.

One more point. The military issues assault rifles to their infantry troops for the purpose of assualting an enemy. Then they train those troops to use those weapons for that purpose - assaulting the enemy. My rifles were not purchased for the intent of assaulting anyone or anything, but for target practice, huniting and fun and I do not train with them to be able to assault anyone or anything.

[justsumstuff]

I have a reason to have my handguns and shotguns in my home and on my person; defense of the home and defense for myself.

Other than "They are cool" or "they are fun" (and they are! I remember from my military days...), what is the reasoning behind purchasing an assault weapon?

The only thing I can think of to tell the wife if I ever wanted to get one is "what if we get invaded?" While that is always a possibility, is it realistic to believe my ownership of an assualt rifle would be part of a solution?

I know that I'm taking a far different course than others on this thread, but here goes.
Correct me if I'm wrong: This thread about talking your wife into spending $ in your budget to buy an "assault rifle". She doesn't think you "need". So you have justified all of your other guns as "need". Do you shoot? Why? for fun? to keep you skills sharp in case you "need" to shoot for self defense? oops.

Sounds to me like you NEED to get your wife involved in shooting, for FUN! Then maybe she will understand it isn't need, it's fun. I think that she should own her own .22 rimfire rifle so she can experience the fun. She should go to the store, pick up & feel the different sizes, models, what fits & what doesn't. You should NOT choose her firearm for her. I own my guns & shoot my guns. I prefer S&W, my hubby prefers Sigs. I prefer semi-auto shotgun he likes O/U. I gravitate toward youth models in long guns, single stack pistols, & 38 revolvers. Why? We are different sizes & different likes & dislikes!

Make shooting a family fun activity.

If you can get her hooked on fun shooting: The politicians may very well get her incensed that someone would take away her rights to own her 'fun guns" or any other guns.

[Kreutz]

Great input guys, but really - I only need to be lectured once. I'm a big boy. Thanks for correcting me (multiple times).

There are a very few subjects even I can't argue or debate about, and the 2A is one of them. It seems to be the norm here, don't feel lectured or anything, your question was valid, but "shall not be infringed" seems a simple and apt interpretation.

One or two of us have even gone so far as to say the adjudicated mentally insane still have the right...I think it was just myself and wylde007(think it was him) in favor of it.

The general idea was really anyone can be "declared" anything at any time.

Now thats up for debate!

[MNMGoneShooting]

Sounds to me like you NEED to get your wife involved in shooting, for FUN!

Make shooting a family fun activity.

If you can get her hooked on fun shooting: The politicians may very well get her incensed that someone would take away her rights to own her 'fun guns" or any other guns.

Oh the wife is definitely involved and from a lot of this discussion, I think I have her convinced that it's okay to have one.

My wife has a walther PPS that she loves, and I'm trying to get her signed up for the advanced defense course that ProShooter is offering. She loves to shoot. At the gun show I ALMOST bought one, but I'm confused on what I really should be getting. Need to get with some friends that can walk me through it.