I guess their lobbyist checks bounced. Something something winners and losers.(30) The term 'semiautomatic assault weapon' means—
"(A) any of the firearms, or copies or duplicates of the firearms in any caliber, known as—
(i) Norinco, Mitchell, and Poly Technologies Avtomat Kalashnikovs (all models);
(ii) Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and Galil;
(iii) Beretta Ar70 (SC-70);
(iv)ColtAR-15
(v) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FNC;
(vi) SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9, and M-12;
(vii)Steyr AUG;
(viii) INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC-22; and
(ix) revolving cylinder shotguns, such as (or similar to) the Street Sweeper and Striker 12;
Regardless, I'm going to pass on researching all of the models. Let's move on to the pick-em category.
"(B) a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of—
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii) a bayonet mount
(iv) a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and
(v) a grenade launcher;
- Folding or collapsing the stock makes it easier to conceal, one assumes. But if someone is going to do that, are they really going to take the time to replace it before starting a shooting? Firing a rifle without a stock is going to reduce accuracy. With a persuasive argument or evidence, I'd be willing to re-examine whether or not I consider this a less-than-helpful item.
- Pistol grips - is this a cart before the horse thing? Is it that much of a scary feature on a rifle? It's pretty much become a standard design because of the ergonomics. And that does not make it a persuasive argument to me, unless we're pursuing a Harrison Bergeron situation for civilian owners.
- Bayonet mount - really? Even in 1994, this was a concern?
- Flash suppressor, etc. - A QOL feature for users, one assumes that the concern is hiding your location from observers. In a hidden sniper situation, I can see the benefit in the suppression. In a mass shooting incident, I highly doubt that the presence or absences is going to make a difference. Again, I'd be willing to listen to arguments.
- Grenade launcher - see bayonet mount
(C) a semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of—
(i) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;
(ii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
(iii) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the nontrigger hand without being burned;
(iv) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; and
(v) a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm;
- The location of the magazine matters somehow? I'd love to be educated as to why that's the case.
- Threading for barrel extenders, forward handgrips and silencers are apparently fine for rifles, but not pistols. And somehow the threading is different for those vs. a flash suppressor?
- Barrel shrouds - Can't hold the pistol with the offhand with a barrel shroud. But if I can get a forward grip without having to thread the barrel, I'd be fine, apparently.
- Heavier than 50 ounces. I assume this is to prevent pistol-style rifles? Or perhaps caliber/capacity math? Dunno.
- semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm - ... I got nothing. Appearances should not be a restricting element, in my opinion.
(D) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least 2 of—
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 5 rounds;
(iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine.
- See rifle stock comments
- See rifle pistol grip comments
- Fixed magazine capacity over 5 - I disagree with ammunition restrictions. And a larger internal capacity would lead to a larger weapon.
- detachable magazine - quicker reload, I guess?
Then there's the mass shooting impacts, which seems mixed
Want to raise the age of purchase to 21 for all firearms? I'm fine with that.A 2017 review found that there was no evidence that the Federal Assault Weapons Ban had a significant effect on firearm homicides.
A 2015 study found a small decrease in the rate of mass shootings followed by increases beginning after the ban was lifted.
Giffords Law Center
We should probably address that, while we're at it.Under federal law, licensed firearms dealers are generally prohibited from transferring handguns to young people under 21 and are restricted from transferring rifles and shotguns to minors under 18. Federal law also generally restricts unlicensed sellers (people who are not licensed gun dealers) from transferring handguns to minors under 18 but does not restrict unlicensed people from transferring rifles and shotguns to minors at any age.
Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 46.06. Unlawful Transfer of Certain Weapons
Yeah, that needs to go away as well. 12yo Timmy shouldn't be getting an AR-15 for Christmas.It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(2) that the transfer was to a minor whose parent or the person having legal custody of the minor had given written permission for the sale or, if the transfer was other than a sale, the parent or person having legal custody had given effective consent.