The AWB and its unintended results

[74novaman]

So I've been thinking lately: I have several friends who own (mainly ARs, but a few AKs) weapons that were banned between 94-04. Most of them don't really even go shoot theirs very often, at least not compared to how often they'll shoot trap and skeet, or their handguns. I may honestly have a friend or two who's "evil black rifle" has NEVER seen the range.

It seems the whole point of their owning these guns is the knowledge they've been banned in the past, and a hedge against a future ban.

That kind of got me to chuckling. I wonder what current EBR ownership numbers would be like, if there hadn't been a 10 year ban....was the anti's only real accomplishment with the AWB creating more interest in these weapons now then there would have been had an AWB never been passed?

The thought makes me smile.

[nitrogen]

You'd think the government would have learned after both Prohibitions (the one in the 30's and the current one started by Nixon in the summer of 1971) that banning something is a great way to raise demand.

Prices and availability of illegal drugs (as well as quality/potency) has only gone up since '71.
I had to sell my last EBR when I lost my job, and I only bought my current one in fear of a ban (that I didn't even think was that likely!)

[74novaman]

That raises another interesting question...why did people buy theirs? It'd be interesting to see how many here were purchased as "ban" rifles and how many would have been purchased either way.

My AK was purchased in August of 08 (before prices went insane). I had a handgun and was interested in a rifle. My thinking was basically along the lines of "if I'm going to get a rifle, I might as well get a modern one" as opposed to "I'm worried about this being banned later".

[chartreuse]

I got my Stag 1L because it was born left-handed and the best way to encourage folks to keep making left-handed things is to buy them.

Also, I got it because I could. My collection of Brit service rifles runs from an 1853 Enfield muzzle loader to a 1957 Enfield L1A1, then hits a wall. Ideally I'd have a SA-80 but, since there's no chance of that ever happening, an AR is the next best thing.

[seamusTX]

The unintended consequence of the 1994 AWB was a Republican landslide the same year.

Only a small core of delusional idealists believes that "bans" have any positive effect.

Obviously criminals have never gone to gun stores and paid $500 and up for AR-15s. They mostly use stolen weapons, mostly handguns, and they are not picky about brands or features except for the top gangstas that just have to have a Glock because they think the name is cool.

Beyond that, "gun control" is political theater, a fundraising mechanism, getting out voters to go one way or another, and the creation of new bureaucracies and encroachments on freedom.

Nothing has ever been effectively banned. Not guns. Not drugs. Not alcohol, prostitution, gambling, pornography, homosexuality, interracial relationships, illegal immigration, abortion, birth control (which, youngsters, was once illegal in many places), switchblades, glue sniffing, graffiti, "dirty dancing" ... nothing.

Even Christianity has been banned in certain places and time periods. Christianity seems to be doing quite well nevertheless.

- Jim

[chartreuse]

The unintended consequence of the 1994 AWB was a Republican landslide the same year.

Only a small core of delusional idealists believes that "bans" have any positive effect.

Obviously criminals have never gone to gun stores and paid $500 and up for AR-15s. They mostly use stolen weapons, mostly handguns, and they are not picky about brands or features except for the top gangstas that just have to have a Glock because they think the name is cool.

Beyond that, "gun control" is political theater, a fundraising mechanism, getting out voters to go one way or another, and the creation of new bureaucracies and encroachments on freedom.

Nothing has ever been effectively banned. Not guns. Not drugs. Not alcohol, prostitution, gambling, pornography, homosexuality, interracial relationships, illegal immigration, abortion, birth control (which, youngsters, was once illegal in many places), switchblades, glue sniffing, graffiti, "dirty dancing" ... nothing.

Even Christianity has been banned in certain places and time periods. Christianity seems to be doing quite well nevertheless.

- Jim

Wholeheartedly.

[Ashlar]

This is from a DOJ funded study on the 'effects' of the AWB (hint, they found no net decrease in crime..)



The spike in 88-89 was CA's ban.