The hysteria over so-called "assault weapons" is intentional. Those behind it rely on media ignorance to spread public confusion. Case in point, Violence Policy Center instigator Josh Sugarmann wrote:

"The weapons' menacing looks, coupled with the public's confusion over fully automatic machine guns versus semi-automatic assault weapons anything that looks like a machine gun is assumed to be a machine gun can only increase the chance of public support for restrictions on these weapons. In addition, few people can envision a practical use for these guns."

What this results in are calls to ban semi-automatic firearms because of convenience or appearance features, not because they function any differently from other semi-autos, that is, one shot per trigger squeeze. We get ignorant anti-gun politicians like Carolyn McCarthy calling for banning safety features like barrel shrouds, when she clearly doesn't even know what they are. And we get opportunists like Jersey City Police Chief Thomas Comey, who would extend the "assault weapon" definition to include pump-action shotguns.

Years ago, some friends in the now-defunct The Lawyer's Second Amendment Society came up with a poster intending to highlight the absurdity of cosmetic gun bans. This parody piece really brings home how ridiculous they are:



Happy building!

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Welcome, Chicago Gun Rights Examiner

Don Gwinn has joined our lineup as the Chicago Gun Rights Examiner. Among other things, he'll bring us a needed insider's perspective on one of the most politically anti-gun areas of the country.

Don...has moderated The Firing Line and The High Road forums and serves as a Director of Illinois Carry, the only Illinois gun-rights organization dedicated to winning shall-issue right-to-carry for Illinois. Don also blogs at The Armed School Teacher and answers all email sent to: dongwinnATthefiringlineDOTcom.

I'll make sure to add his most current offering to the "Check out the latest" promo box I place at the bottom of each column.

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I once was blind but now I see...

Austin Gun Rights Examiner Howard Nemerov is looking for interview subjects who share his experience of converting from an anti-gun position. I'll let him explain.

"I would like to interview people from all walks of life who, like me, used to believe that only the government should have guns, but had an enlightening experience which led to their conversion to pro-self-defense. You can help broaden our outreach effort across all social, religious, ethnic, etc. backgrounds to induce the politicians to leave our rights and freedoms alone. If you, a friend, or neighbor, fit this description, please contact me."

Do so at: AustinGunRightsATaustin.rrDOTcom