feinstein is at it again. This time, she's not trying to pass legislation. No, that hasn't been working. She is trying to get support to get BATFE to halt the importation of more "non-sporting" guns. I guess the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the semi-auto import ban of 1989 weren't enough for her.
This is her "wish list" with my comments in red:
- Prohibit importation of all semi-automatic rifles that can accept, or be readily converted to accept, a large capacity ammunition magazine of more than 10 rounds, regardless of the military pedigree of the firearm or the configuration of the firearm’s magazine well. - To ban military-style firearms that aren't military firearms, which seems very contradictory. This would stop the importation of the Century WASR-10 rifles and Draco pistols.
- Prohibit semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. - I guess seeking to preemptively ban work-around guns with welded-in magazines and 20-round Mauser Broomhandle replicas?
- Prohibit the importation of the frame or receiver of any prohibited rifle, regardless of whether it is incorporated into a fully manufactured firearm.
- Prohibit the practice of importing assault rifles in parts and then constructing the rifles once they are in the United States by adding the requisite number of American-made parts. - No more AK parts-guns, wiping out 922(r) compliance, although I don't see how this is enforceable without a new law. How can anyone tell whether the AK I built in my basement was built last night, or 10 years ago. Without registration, you can't tell.
- Prohibit the use of a “thumbhole” stock as a means to avoid classification of a rifle as an assault rifle. - Closing a "loophole" in the 1989 ban. Naturally, they wouldn't have written in the "loophole" if they could get it to pass without it. At any rate, classification of an assault rifle depends on the firing mechanism and selector switch, and really has nothing to do with the stock.
- Prohibit the importation of "assault pistols," in addition to "assault rifles." - I have no idea what this is about. The importation of assault rifles was part of the 1968 ban, and I don't think there is a definition of "assault pistol," at least in federal law.
Basically this would affect all AKs except for the Century Arms Centurion 39, which is entirely made in America. Once the supply of parts kits and sporterized AKs already in the country dry up, Krebs Custom, Red Jacket and other builders would have nothing left to build with. It would also affect the building of semi-only STEN guns, and PPSH pistols, and a whole lot of others.
Of course, this attempt hinges on the 2nd Amendment not protecting non-sporting firearms, and the Supreme Court has already stated with their U.S. v. Miller and D.C. v. Heller decisions that the 2nd doesn't only protect firearms for sporting-uses.
