Email Print   Text Size
Reporter: Bryan Latham
House Resolution Proposes to Ban Dozens of Rifles

Updated:

More on the web
Tracking US Congress

In 1993, the Clinton adminstration passed a ban on assault weapons. In 2004, it expired, but is again making its way through Washington - and this time there are many more stipulations.

A proposed gun law has some up in arms.

Doc Blanchard, Doc's Gun Barn: "I don't think they know what they are doing."

In 1994, the Clinton admistration enacted the Assault Weapons Ban, outlawing 19 different guns. It had a ten-year sunset clause and expired in 2004. But now it is again going through Washington as House Resolution 1022. Doc Blanchard of Doc's Gun Barn says this bill makes a good chunk of his inventory illegal.

Doc Blanchard: "If you take that total the way it is now, you're probably looking at 20-25%."

The bill bans most semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. It also prohibits certain accessories like folding stocks, threaded barrels, detachable magazines, and pistol grips. This time, it specifies 65 different types of weapons - many the NRA says are used for sport and hunting.

Ashley Varner, Spokesperson, NRA: "When you start targeting firearms, it means you're not working on the criminals. We want the focus here to be on the criminals and not on the guns. The criminals are going to use whatever they can get. They need to be taken off the streets. That's where we should be putting our focus, time and energy."

Sheriff Lorin Nielsen says it's a complicated issue.

Lorin Nielsen, Bannock County Sheriff: "I hunt, and don't need to with an automatic weapon. I want to be able to eat what I hunt and there is not going to be much left if we use that type of weapon. However, there are some areas in the West where that might not be as bad as in New York City, and I think when we pass national laws that affect the whole area, it's awful hard to fit every square peg into every square hole, and I would like to see it left up the states."

Blanchard says it's a waste of time.

Doc Blanchard: "It didn't work the first time and it won't work the next time."

For info, log onto www.govtrack.us.  

All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 WorldNow and kpvi. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.