Fail: Rhode Island Passes A Useless 'Assault Weapons' Ban
Share this @internewscast.com

Many politicians, particularly those on the left, often adhere to a somewhat misguided approach when dealing with policy issues. Their decision-making, especially after a significant incident, typically follows this pattern:

(Event) We have to do something! This is something. Let’s do this!

This approach is most evident in the case of “assault weapons” bans, where once again, lawmakers who lack knowledge about firearms draft legislation driven by emotion and misunderstanding instead of relying on factual information. The most recent instance? Rhode Island.

On Friday, Rhode Island’s Democratic-majority state House passed a bill aimed at prohibiting the sale and production of various semiautomatic rifles commonly labeled as assault weapons.

The proposal now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, who has said he supports assault weapons bans. If the bill is signed into law, Rhode Island will join 10 states that have some sort of prohibition on high-powered firearms that were once banned nationwide and are now largely the weapon of choice among those responsible for most of the country’s devastating mass shootings.

Gun control advocates have been pushing for an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island for more than a decade. However, despite being a Democratic stronghold, lawmakers throughout the country’s smallest state have long quibbled over the necessity and legality of such proposals.

Here’s what this reporting gets wrong:

…states that have some sort of prohibition on high-powered firearms that were once banned nationwide…

These are not high-powered firearms. The round most commonly used in the AR-15 pattern rifles, the 5.56mm NATO, has as its civilian counterpart the .223 Remington, a .22 caliber cartridge considered a good round for prairie dogs, woodchucks, foxes, and coyotes. Its use for hunting animals like deer is proscribed in many states because it’s not considered powerful enough to ensure a clean, humane kill. The Russian 7.62x39mm round used in the AK-series weapons is more or less the equivalent of the modest .30-30.

These are facts.

As for “once banned nationwide,” none of these rifles were ever banned nationwide. Not for a few years, not for a few days, not for a few minutes. Certain cosmetic features were banned, like separate pistol grips, flash hiders (flash hiders actually do have some effect, but not what the gun-banners think they do), and bayonet lugs. That’s right, bayonet lugs were banned by the 1994 “assault weapons” ban, presumably to deal with the outbreak of criminals robbing good citizens at bayonet-point. Yes, that is sarcasm. The AR-15 and AK pattern rifles were manufactured throughout the ban, functionally unchanged, minus those cosmetic features. 

As far as the state’s lawmakers quibbling, the quibblers are quite correct; these laws are not necessary and are unconstitutional.


Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Dramatic video shows NYPD officers rescuing a missing dog named Moose from beneath a Manhattan subway train

Watch: NYPD Heroes Save Missing Dog ‘Moose’ from Manhattan Subway Tracks

A dramatic rescue unfolded in Manhattan as officers from the New York…
Progressive Zohran Mamdani taking his case directly to Fox News’ conservative viewers

Progressive Powerhouse Zohran Mamdani Faces Fox News: A Bold Move to Connect with Conservative Viewers

Zohran Mamdani, a leading Democratic mayoral candidate known for his democratic socialist…
Hormel recalls 4.8M pounds of frozen chicken after multiple metal contamination reports

Hormel Initiates Recall of 4.8 Million Pounds of Frozen Chicken Due to Metal Contamination Concerns

Hormel Foods has chosen to withdraw several of its frozen chicken offerings…
'I am not done': Kamala Harris hints at another White House bid

Kamala Harris Teases 2024 White House Run: ‘I Am Not Done’ Signals Potential Presidential Campaign

In a recent interview with the BBC, former Vice President Kamala Harris…
30 California District Attorneys Are a Hard NO on Prop. 50, Gavin Newsom's Gerrymandering Scheme

AAG Dhillon Calms Tensions with Governor Newsom Over DOJ Election Monitoring Plans

The Department of Justice has announced plans to deploy election monitors to…
Jail's tight leash on Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin all about 'safety,' not silencing, expert says

Attorneys for Alleged Assassin in Charlie Kirk Case Seek Courtroom Camera Ban to Combat ‘Content Tornado

Lawyers representing the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie…
US deploys Ford carrier strike group to combat narco-terror in Western Hemisphere

US Deploys Ford Carrier Strike Group to Tackle Narco-Terrorism in Western Hemisphere

The Trump administration has issued orders for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier…
Universities defiant on Trump's academic excellence compact as feedback deadline passes

Universities Stand Firm Against Trump’s Academic Excellence Compact as Feedback Deadline Expires

In a notable response to the Trump administration’s proposed Compact for Academic…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
Riverdale Amber Alert Illinois today: Police searching for kidnapping suspect Austin Bell, 4 kids, stolen car silver Acura MDX

Urgent Amber Alert: Search Underway for Suspect and 4 Missing Children in Stolen Silver Acura MDX in Riverdale, Illinois

In Riverdale, Illinois, authorities are actively searching for a suspect accused of…
Historic libraries bring modern comfort to book lovers and history buffs in New England

New England’s Historic Libraries Blend Timeless Charm with Modern Comfort for Book Lovers and History Enthusiasts

In the heart of Boston, David Arsenault experiences a sense of reverence…
Slain motorcyclist’s sweetheart says $50K bail for murder suspect with criminal record left her ‘hopeless’

Motorcyclist’s Partner Expresses Dismay Over $50K Bail for Murder Suspect With Previous Criminal Record

The bereaved partner of a motorcyclist who lost his life in Washington…