ATF banning guns by changing definitions

[45nut]

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Banning Guns by Changing Definitions, Part 4

Posted by Beregond (Profile)

Monday, April 18th at 7:00AM EDT
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The Obama administration is seeking to limit the importation of some shotguns via rulings made by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF.) ATF has issued a “Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns” which provides the logical underpinnings for a ban of some weapons. In Part 1 we looked at how the ATF defined “sporting purpose” to exclude the popular action and practical shooting sports. In Part 2 we saw how several features that would cause an imported shotgun to be banned are useful in home defense. In Part 3 we looked at how the unconstitutional Gun Control Act of 1968, which introduced the “sporting purpose” test for importation, came to be. In this final installation we’ll look at the implications of the current study on pistols, rifles, and domestic shotguns.

The Supreme court decisions in District of Columbia v Heller and McDonald v Chicago moved the earth under the feet of the ATF. The decisions clearly established that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is an individual right, it can be exercised for any lawful purpose, and that it applies to the states. This negates many of the firearms related parts of the ATF’s job. But like any good bureaucracy, ATF has its’ fingers in its’ ears and is shouting “LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” while planning how to overcome this setback. Apparently the ATF’s plan is to say “The Supremes told DC, and told the states, but they didn’t tell ME! Besides, the ruling says that there is space for some regulation!” The current study certainly foreshadows some regulation.

Before the Heller and McDonald cases were decided it could plausibly (if incorrectly) be argued that the “sporting purpose” test that is applied to imports, and was part of the justification for the 1994 Clinton Gun Ban, was regulating a privilege and thus legal. That is no longer the case. The ATF is laying the groundwork to restrict what is undeniably a right. This goes beyond simple government overreach to the realm of violating the oaths of office for those involved.

But it’s not just imports that are in the crosshairs, as Jeff Knox points out in The Knox Update:

One of the most important things about this ATF “study” and proposed shotgun importation ban is that it lays the groundwork for much broader, general shotgun restrictions. Importation is not the only place where federal gun laws apply this unconstitutional “sporting purpose test,” it is also found in the National Firearms Act (NFA), the laws dealing with machineguns and destructive devices. Under the NFA, any firearm with a bore greater than .5 inch is a “destructive device” – in the same category as mortars and Howitzers. The only exception is for “shotguns which the secretary finds are generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes.” If the secretary (in this case Attorney General Eric Holder) finds that certain shotguns are not importable because they are unsuitable for sporting purposes he must then explain why virtually identical guns, with the same features, are considered suitable for sporting purposes with regard to the NFA. How can he declare them non-sporting on the one hand and not declare identical guns as non-sporting on the other?

One factor that jumps out from the current ATF study is that it differs from the Clinton gun ban in a critical way. The Clinton ban looked at guns and said if it could accept a high capacity magazine and had any 2 other characteristics then it was banned. Thus you could have a magazine and a pistol grip, or a magazine and night sights, and still be legal. Few people missed having a bayonet lug, and grenade launchers and grenades had essentially been banned from civilian hands since the NFA became law in 1934. The current study says that any ONE item on a list, including a magazine that holds more than five rounds or a place to attach a flashlight so you can see the burglar in your home, and the gun is banned.

So the problem doesn’t end with shotguns. The current study refers to the conclusions drawn in prior ATF studies of rifles in 1989 and 1998, and handguns in 1968. It also draws on the NFA and the GCA (Gun Control Act of 1968) to justify the “sporting purpose” test, and the narrow interpretation that the ATF places on the test. The justifications are all linked together, like a knitted sweater. Pull on the piece of yarn called “imported shotguns” and you find when it’s unraveled enough that you’re tugging on the “domestic shotguns” yarn. Only now the “imported rifle” bit of yarn is hanging loose, just begging for someone to tug on it. Unravel that a bit and you reach “domestic rifles.” A similar bit of unraveling is likely to happen with the piece of yarn labelled “handgun.”

In other words, this report lays the groundwork to impose by regulatory fiat an entirely unconstitutional gun ban more draconian than the Clinton gun ban that expired in 2004, and bypasses Congress and the Constitution to do so. It needs to be stopped now. The ATF is accepting comments on the report until the end of April, 2011. I urge you to comment, and to send a copy of your comments to your congressional representatives.

* Comments may be submitted by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov
* By fax to (202)648-9601.Faxed comments may not exceed 5 pages.
* All comments must include name and mailing address.

This is not just an issue for gun owners. This is an issue of the Obama administration overreaching, and violating the Constitution in the process. Restricting our rights by regulatory fiat should concern every American.


Thought you'd want to know folks.

[Python]

If it's deemed necessary to contact our congressional representatives to "oppose" this kind of crap (anything unconstitutional), we're already screwed. If their oath to defend the Constitution is worthless, so will any effort to remind them be worthless. People just don't get it, or they just don't want to get it. Everything comes to an end sooner or later. In this case it's later, but it is as inevitable as is the NWO that requires it to be so.

[carver]

Originally Posted by Python

If it's deemed necessary to contact our congressional representatives to "oppose" this kind of crap (anything unconstitutional), we're already screwed. If their oath to defend the Constitution is worthless, so will any effort to remind them be worthless. People just don't get it, or they just don't want to get it. Everything comes to an end sooner or later. In this case it's later, but it is as inevitable as is the NWO that requires it to be so.

And this is the problem that we live with. Lieing, cheating, stealing Elected Officials that serve no one but themselves! Reminding them of their sworn duties would be a waste of energy!

[Python]

Originally Posted by carver

And this is the problem that we live with. Lieing, cheating, stealing Elected Officials that serve no one but themselves! Reminding them of their sworn duties would be a waste of energy!

Exactly.

[millwright]

Ther "comment period" is still open.......>MW

[stitch1870]

Good afternoon to all, just got an email from a private FFL me and my father are familiar with, contents of the email are that this bs ban has been passed. Don't know as of yet if there will be a time limit to it like the '94 AW ban.

[JLA]

Here we go again...

[Juker]

If you're in the market, better 'bite the bullet' and get it now.

Can't believe it - we went deep sea fishing again last night, and as usual took all our guns and ammo in case we were accosted by pirates. Big wave hit and everything fell overboard.

Third time that's happened...

[JLA]

bummer...

[gunmad]

As i have been saying time to send them all packing there bag and leave the gun laws alone. it was wrote that way then and the founding fathers would word it the same today. it was wrote that way so we could defend ourself from a take over. yes when wrote the army had muskets just like us now they got bigger arms and so do we it's still a fair fight.

[Python]

Originally Posted by gunmad

. yes when wrote the army had muskets just like us now they got bigger arms and so do we it's still a fair fight.

Dream on.

[JLA]

No it isnt a fair fight, but thats no reason to lay down and allow these things to happen. The problem is all these "but im just 1 person, whats my vote count" kinda people that allow these laws to be passed by doing nothing and hoping someone else will stand up and take care of it.

What so many folks dont get is all those "just one persons" add up very quickly and if everyone would do their part and at the very least, get out there and vote. things could be a little different...

My point here is, If youre one that doesnt vote because you think its a waste of time, then youve forfieted your right to complain about the problem.

Many hands make light work fellas. If every like minded 2nd ammendment supporter in America would stand together, I believe we could stop these things from happening.

[Python]

Originally Posted by JLA

No it isnt a fair fight, but thats no reason to lay down and allow these things to happen. The problem is all these "but im just 1 person, whats my vote count" kinda people that allow these laws to be passed by doing nothing and hoping someone else will stand up and take care of it.

What so many folks dont get is all those "just one persons" add up very quickly and if everyone would do their part and at the very least, get out there and vote. things could be a little different...

My point here is, If youre one that doesnt vote because you think its a waste of time, then youve forfieted your right to complain about the problem.

Many hands make light work fellas. If every like minded 2nd ammendment supporter in America would stand together, I believe we could stop these things from happening.

Of course it would make a difference, even a little difference if everyone voted, but it's never been that way and it's never going to be that way. Americans have always been a day late and a dollar short. There will always be those who make things happen (10%), those who watch things happen (30%), and those who don't know what happened (70%). And people will always complain, regardless. America didn't get into the situation it's in because Americans are smart, and America won't get out of this situation because Americans are smart. And just in case you haven't noticed, even when people do vote, the will of the people is reversed by the LIBERAL judges. The worlds changing and America is changing right along with it, there's no going back, it just doesn't work that way.

[permafrost]

If it ever comes to it, it will be a matter of belief. The militia in Lexington knew they were up against the most powerful, best trained, best army in the world. They knew a lot would die. But they had a belief so strong that they were willing to risk their lives and likely die for that belief. FREEDOM From Tyranny! We would be totally out classed and outgunned, but every man must hold at least one belief in his live so dear that he is willing to risk his life to defend it. Otherwise, I don't think you're really alive. That will be our strength, just as it was at Lexington. With our numbers and the right mind set, we could prevail! FREEDOM!

[Python]

To compare anything today with anything a couple hundred years ago is just plain foolishness. And as for Americas belief's and mindset today, and what their willing to live and die for? Be assured that the mindset, beliefs, and value system of Americans today has absolutely nothing in common with anything of any generation past. With our numbers and mindset today we couldn't even boycott Disneyland, or fill 1% of the pews in church on Sunday. Rambo was Hollywood foolishness, George Armstrong Custer was reality. Dream on.

[permafrost]

Originally Posted by Python

To compare anything today with anything a couple hundred years ago is just plain foolishness. And as for Americas belief's and mindset today, and what their willing to live and die for? Be assured that the mindset, beliefs, and value system of Americans today has absolutely nothing in common with anything of any generation past. With our numbers and mindset today we couldn't even boycott Disneyland, or fill 1% of the pews in church on Sunday. Rambo was Hollywood foolishness, George Armstrong Custer was reality. Dream on.

So there's nothing you believe in strongly enough to risk your life for?
You've already lost. I'm not COMPARING anything. You completely misunderstood my post. I say its necessary to regain that type of commitment to ever stand a chance. If you want to just automatically capitulate because of the way things are at this moment, that's up to you .I'm completely aware of the current"rollover and take it" attitude of most Americans. I'm saying there must be a change of mindset.
Many, many people at the time of Lexington had your cynical belief. They were terrified of the mighty British Army and afraid to stand for their beliefs.
It amazes me that you so misread my post! Think a little deeper, please.

[Double D]

Perm, im with ya bud. I have been reading alot of negative stuff lately about how its all over and we dont have a chance. Hogwash. We are Americans. It aint over till the fat lady sings and she has a bad case of streap throat.

[graehaven]

Originally Posted by permafrost

If it ever comes to it, it will be a matter of belief. The militia in Lexington knew they were up against the most powerful, best trained, best army in the world. They knew a lot would die. But they had a belief so strong that they were willing to risk their lives and likely die for that belief. FREEDOM From Tyranny! We would be totally out classed and outgunned, but every man must hold at least one belief in his live so dear that he is willing to risk his life to defend it. Otherwise, I don't think you're really alive. That will be our strength, just as it was at Lexington. With our numbers and the right mind set, we could prevail! FREEDOM!

Prevail against whom?

[JLA]

Originally Posted by Python

Of course it would make a difference, even a little difference if everyone voted, but it's never been that way and it's never going to be that way. Americans have always been a day late and a dollar short. There will always be those who make things happen (10%), those who watch things happen (30%), and those who don't know what happened (70%). And people will always complain, regardless. America didn't get into the situation it's in because Americans are smart, and America won't get out of this situation because Americans are smart. And just in case you haven't noticed, even when people do vote, the will of the people is reversed by the LIBERAL judges. The worlds changing and America is changing right along with it, there's no going back, it just doesn't work that way.

I refuse to believe that python.

I want to ask you a question and I want a sincere and honest answer... You make the decision, What would you have america do?

By 'america' I mean US, the people, you, me and every other red blooded american...

[Python]

Originally Posted by JLA

I refuse to believe that python.

I want to ask you a question and I want a sincere and honest answer... You make the decision, What would you have america do?

By 'america' I mean US, the people, you, me and every other red blooded american...

If it's politics, all you can do is vote. Is there something else?

[Python]

Originally Posted by graehaven

Prevail against whom?

Good question.

[rentalguy1]

If they want mine, come and take 'em. Somebody won't be going home to momma that night, though. That's all I got to say about it...

[Python]

Originally Posted by permafrost

So there's nothing you believe in strongly enough to risk your life for?
You've already lost. I'm not COMPARING anything. You completely misunderstood my post. I say its necessary to regain that type of commitment to ever stand a chance. If you want to just automatically capitulate because of the way things are at this moment, that's up to you .I'm completely aware of the current"rollover and take it" attitude of most Americans. I'm saying there must be a change of mindset.
Many, many people at the time of Lexington had your cynical belief. They were terrified of the mighty British Army and afraid to stand for their beliefs.
It amazes me that you so misread my post! Think a little deeper, please.

You should re-read your post. The militia at Lexington up against the most powerful, best trained, best army in the world? They knew a lot would die? Totally out classed and out gunned? Risk their lives and likely die? With our numbers and mindset we could prevail? And oh yea, beliefs.There's a big difference between cynical and stupid pal, you should give a little more thought to the deeper part of the thinking, please.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by Python

If it's politics, all you can do is vote. Is there something else?

of course! voting is just the beginning. Support pro 2nd ammendment organizations like NRA and GOP, flood your reps mailboxes and inboxes with emails and letters. Join rallies, protest, make a youtube video, do SOMETHING. Dont just lay there and say "whelp nuttn we can do, its a waste of time, dont bother" Thats EXACTLY what these libs want and when we do it theyve won.

If someone walks into your house with a duffel bag and opens your refridgerator and starts loading your groceries into his bag, you not knowing who the hell he his, what he wants, or what his motives are... are you gonna stand there because it too late to stop him, ask him politely to leave, or draw your weapon and blow his face off???

This is exactly what is happening. They are stripping us all of our righs one by one and its becasue too many folks think its too late to stop them.

Im not goin down so passively and niether should anyone else. They can have my irons when they pry them outta my cold dead hands!

[fuzebox40]

To those who think it's foolish to even entertain the thought of resistance, I say give me your wallet.