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donsu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:39 PM
Original message
Mich. Sheriff goes insane and auctions off machinegun

http://www.gunguys.com/?p=1942

Sheriff’s Department Auctions Machine Gun for Funds

A county Sheriff’s office in Michigan says they haven’t been getting enough funding lately, so they’re going to put their community in even more danger– by auctioning off a fully automatic assault weapon. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Via its Web site, the department is auctioning off a fully automatic M16, dating to the mid-1970s and capable of firing about 700 rounds a minute. The only requirement is that bidders have a machine gun permit — available to any adult who doesn’t have a criminal record.

-snip-

So because you don’t have enough money to keep your county safe, you’re going to endanger it even more by selling a weapon that can shoot 700 rounds per minute? The sheriff says the chances are low that it will end up in the wrong hands, but why take those chances at all? If you need more money, the way to get it is by going to local government and showing that you need it. Selling a firearm to get more money to fight crime is like amputating an arm to keep a paper cut from hurting (it’s as dumb as putting concealed weapons on the street to stop gun violence, really). Keeping firearms off the street is kind of the point, and selling them back onto the street is going in the wrong direction.
-snip-
-----------------------------------


fire that stupid sheriff





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shadowknows69 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:41 PM
Response to Original message
1. Unfortuneately like bad presidents
bad sherrifs are usually elected. Have to wait them out and survive them like any untouchable office.
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donsu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. you can't impeach a sheriff ? how do they get rid of bad ones?

there are no contingencies written in the law?
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htuttle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. There's probably a "recall" procedure of some kind
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sharp_stick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:46 PM
Response to Original message
3. You can get a machine gun permit in MI?
I don't know why but I find the idea kind of funny. I'd like to hear the reasons why you require a machine gun permit but they probably don't need to have one.

1) Those damned groundhogs are ganging up on me, I've got to shoot faster.
2) Someone actually saw a wolverine for the first time in more than a century and I've heard they're dangerous and really hard to kill.
3) I like to blow $400-$500 in ammunition in less than a minute and this is the only way I can do it.

Feel free to add your own.
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itsmesgd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. the permit costs a fortune and you have to jump through BATF hoops
It's more for collectors than anyone else
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:26 PM
Response to Reply #3
38. You can get machine gun permits in at least 35 states
The only states I know of where you cannot get such a permit are New York, Rhode Island, Kansas, Iowa, Delaware, Hawaii, and DC.

Getting the permit, however, is a big hassle. $200 transfer fee, minimum 60-day waiting period, criminal background check that rivals a security clearance, etc. You probably need a sheriff or judge to sign off on it, too.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #38
42. Washington state and Kansas are also non-NFA states
In California it is practically impossible.
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:11 AM
Response to Reply #42
51. I completely forgot about Illinois - also a non-NFA state
Especially with Rod Blagojevich in the Governor's office once again. If he gets his way, semi-autos may go the way of full-autos in that state.
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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #42
70. Corporations can own
that is the bypass. Start a corporation and purchase the weapon as an asset. Done.

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Occulus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 10:59 AM
Response to Reply #70
88. Yet ANOTHER reason why corporations should have no personhood at all n/t
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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 12:27 PM
Response to Reply #88
92. Not personhood
asset thing..If you own a security firm or are an ffl (batf registered) dealer of a specific type you can own post 1984 modern select fire weapons. Of course there are massive controls in place.

My point with enough money any law, even a stupid one, can be circumvented.
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-05-07 11:00 AM
Response to Reply #70
102. A corporation still has to go through NFA, though
That's why all those compaines in the 30's turned in their own Thompsons when the NFA was enacted - they bought the guns for security to use to discourage union activity, but during the Depression, only the richest or the most dedicated gun owners could afford the tax stamp to keep their full-autos legit.
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sharp_stick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:54 PM
Response to Reply #38
46. Damn.. I didn't know that.
I live in CT, I have a judge for a neighbor, I've already gone through a security clearance and I want a Ma Deuce. Those turkey's out back won't be shitting on my lawn anymore! ;-)

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meldroc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:48 PM
Response to Original message
5. This is bad for what reason?
As long as the buyer goes through the BATF background checks and can legally buy a Class III full-auto weapon, I don't see the harm.

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donsu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:54 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. take off your rosey glasses and you will see better
nt
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roamer65 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:55 PM
Response to Original message
8. This gun would be mainly for the whackos who think...
they would actually have a chance to fight off the black helicopters.:rofl:
...and b4 you call me anti-gun, I have a carry permit and see no problem with handgun, rifle and shotgun ownership. This gun ought not to be getting out into the hands of anyone.
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cgrindley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. Last Sunday at my local range
Dude showed up with a fully automatic 9mm Uzi. It fired off 30 rounds of 9mm in 2 seconds. Then he put in the second clip and fired another 30 rounds. It's an utter waste of money if you ask me. With the price of 9mm ammo... 13 bucks per 50 rounds, plus 2 bucks lead removal fee for 4 seconds of firing. Hardly worth it.

Give me 1000 rounds of .22 lr. That's way more fun. I like going after going to the gym. Trying to hit a one inch spot on a target 50 feet away just using a little Ruger MKII's iron sights and without using a rest or anything is a little mental workout all on its own. Pretty harmless as far as I can tell, although the gun range people tend to be a trifle right wing.

I don't think we have to worry about the people who legally own machine guns. Those permits are wicked hard to get. Here in CT it's hard enough just getting a pistol permit.
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kestrel91316 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #12
34. Sorry. I worry about some rabid RW anti-abortion freak getting
ahold of this and going to a women's clinic.
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cgrindley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:35 PM
Response to Reply #34
36. The people who collect legal automatic weapons
Like those weapons a hell of a lot more than they hate abortionists. We're talking weapons that typically sell for 20,000 dollars. Legal machine guns are NOT cheap. They're well out of the reach of the polyester wearing bible thumpers who want to shoot doctors.
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 07:24 PM
Response to Reply #8
93. For the price of this rifle you could buy a dozen civvie-legal AR-15s
Or you could buy ONE civvie-legal AR-15 AND 80 or 90 of these:



That's the '90-Rounder'.

You could have a semi-auto AR-15 with 8100 rounds of ammunition ready to rock for the price of a legal full-auto M-16.

This is about collecting, about pride. Bragging rights. He'll go to a couple of full-auto gun shows a year and let rip, maybe let a few friends spray a couple of magazine downrange.

At least he's not going to be buying a gas-guzzling SUV or investing in a factory in China.
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brentblack Donating Member (127 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:57 PM
Response to Original message
9. Law abiding people
Rarely commit crimes with guns. Moreover, a law abiding person that spends thousands of dollars on a gun will probably not use it illegally.


As long as they check deep enough...I do not have a problem with this. Anyway...with a $20 kit that you can buy online, you can turn many semi-auto rifles into full auto.


I believe almost all of the progressive stands...but I stand apart in gun control laws. Probably because I am a dumb cracker from the South.


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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Prisoner_Number_Six Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 01:59 PM
Response to Original message
10. Shouldn't be a problem...
the M-16 sucks. :evilgrin:
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scrinmaster Donating Member (563 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
13. Legally registered NFA machine guns, like this one
have never been used in a crime since the NFA was enacted in 1934.

This M16 would probably sell for $10,000-18,000, putting it way out of the reach of most people. And the thorough ATF required background check will root out anyone who has commited any sort of crime.
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jayfish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:32 PM
Response to Reply #13
19. Shhhhhhhh...
Don't let facts get in the way of anti-gun hysteria.

Jay
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HarukaTheTrophyWife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:35 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. Exactly.
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 03:36 PM by haruka3_2000
Why be reasonable when we can yell that guns are evil?

And of course, criminals are going to go through all the background checks and drop almost $20,000 on their gun.

:eyes:

What hysterics.
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jayfish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #20
23. You Bet Your Arse They Are.
So they can rob the corner 7-11 for $50 and kill everyone in a five-block radius. :rofl:

Jay
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michreject Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. Look at the bright side
After you pay the $20,000.00 or so for the gun, and than pass all the background checks, you only have to pay a $200.00 federal transfer tax.

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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #13
39. One little correction...
...since the NFA was passed, one single legally registered full-auto weapon was used in a crime. By an off-duty cop. So the average Joe is off the hook.
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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #39
50. Solid Proof That Gun Control Works

n/t
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:47 AM
Response to Reply #50
62. To phrase one of my earlier comments a little differently
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 10:50 AM by slackmaster
The National Firearms Act in its current state has been 100% effective in preventing criminal misuse of lawfully owned machineguns, sound suppressors, short-barrelled rifles and shotguns, and other weapons.

But it's too restrictive, too much of the right medicine. A lot of interesting, valuable collectable firearms have been destroyed, and many historic war relics cannot be brought into the country because the laws are too restrictive. Something has been lost - Not something we can't live without, but something that could be permitted without endangering public safety.
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UrbScotty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:11 PM
Response to Original message
14. In Michigan, it's up to the voters to fire the sheriff.
Usually countywide officers in Michigan (Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, etc.) are elected in presidential election years.
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madinmaryland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:19 PM
Response to Original message
15. I think there are some prairie dogs in MI that need a killin!!1!!
:sarcasm:

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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:24 PM
Response to Original message
16. Do you have any idea of what one has to go through to acquire a legal machinegun?
This sale will IN NO WAY endanger the public.

Owners of registered machineguns and other weapons regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) are among the most thoroughly backgound-checked, scrutinized people in the country.

fire that stupid sheriff

I suggest that you read up and and learn something about the subject before making such a harsh knee-jerk judgement.

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/nfa_faq.txt

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meldroc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 02:36 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Explained better than I could.
This sale is not going to be a threat to the public. ATF will thoroughly scrutinize the buyer before allowing the firearm to be transferred to him.

These days, legal full-auto weapons are mostly in the hands of enthusiasts, and aren't used outside of firing ranges.
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TX-RAT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:59 PM
Response to Reply #16
25. We sold 2.
Year before i retired we sold 2 Thompson model 21 AC's complete with 2 50 rd drum Mag's and 5 20 rd stick mags each. Still had the original wooden box's. They had originally been purchased by another sheriff in the late 20's. We got 10,000 for the set.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:07 PM
Response to Reply #25
28. Makes a lot of sense for the PD to sell to a collector and get the cash
And use that to buy whatever it needs.

Everybody wins.
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TX-RAT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #28
33.  The county commissioners and I agree.
That money purchased us 8 Mini 14's and related equipment that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:17 AM
Response to Reply #16
52. Are you saying that noone in that county would qualify?
If somebody obtains a gun like this, it'd be easy to sell it in a private sale.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:40 AM
Response to Reply #52
61. Please educate yourself on the subject
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 10:48 AM by slackmaster
An individual legally selling a machinegun to another individual in a private sale involves the same laws, regulations, and procedures as the Sheriff legally selling one to an individual.

Once again, here is a link to the Michigan State Legislature's document of applicable laws:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/firearms.pdf

To quote one opinion contained in the document:

Opinion No. 7183
December 27, 2005

FIREARMS: Possession and transfer of a machine gun

MICHIGAN PENAL CODE:

A person in Michigan may only possess a machine gun if it was lawfully possessed before May 19, 1986, and is properly registered under federal law. A person in Michigan may only transfer possession of a machine gun if authorized to do so by the federal Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Honorable Leon Drolet
State Representative
The Capitol
Lansing, Michigan 48909
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:18 PM
Response to Reply #61
64. Do you only post on gun threads?
I took a peek at the guns forum. It looks like you guys have yourselves convinced that you're the only sane people on DU.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:54 PM
Response to Reply #64
74. Please do a search and see for yourself
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 01:06 PM by slackmaster
I'd estimate that maybe 10% of my posts over the last year are on gun-related threads.
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Edweird Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:29 PM
Response to Original message
18. meh. More gun dungeon fodder.
I was raised around guns. My grandparents had enough rifles and shotguns to arm a tiny country. And they were stored behind their bedroom door. Many of my friends received their first .22 rifle around 10-12 years old. There were no massacres. Nobody went on a shooting rampage. Nobody that I can recall ever shot anybody or anything by accident. My firearms experience is obviously different than yours. I personally see a knee-jerk negative reaction to this sale as somewhat irrational and uninformed. As long as the sale followed all applicable laws, what exactly is the problem? I understand that as a class 3 licensee, one is subject to random unannounced inventory and inspection of all your firearms by the ATF 365-24/7.It's kinda like an audit by the IRS, only not as much fun.
It doesn't make sense to me to blame guns for violence any more than it makes sense to blame the car for a drunk driver committing vehicular homicide.
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noonwitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:44 PM
Response to Original message
21. I hope a museum or collector without plans to use it buy it
Aren't M16's what the soldiers carried in Vietnam? I recall my cousin's crazy ex-husband shot up their house with one once.
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:07 PM
Response to Reply #21
29. M16s are still military-issue
You can buy a non-automatic civilian version legally in most states, and they are known as an AR-15
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 03:44 PM
Response to Original message
22. He's not insane, sorry
That gun will go for a huge amount of money to a person who has spend several months and hundreds of dollars getting an ATF permit to own full-automatic weapons.

This happens all the time, actually. There is a pool of full-auto weapons, cannons, mortars, and other fun stuff that is being bought and sold on a daily basis. And they are being bought and sold by people who have had the BATFE crawling up their asses with a microscope for the better part of a year.

The pool was 'closed' by Reagan in 1986, so the amount of legal, registered full-auto guns has remained constant and as a result the prices are getting up there.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=66925605

This gun will be bought by some rich guy to keep in his collection.

If a criminal wanted a full-auto gun, he could get an illegal one a lot cheaper and faster.

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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:05 PM
Response to Reply #22
27. Helpful Translation

"BATFE crawling up their asses": Gun control works.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:08 PM
Response to Reply #27
30. Yes Paladin, the National Firearms Act has been very effective
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 04:10 PM by slackmaster
At reducing crime committed with automatic weapons, sound suppressors, etc.

But in my opinion it's overkill. The Reigstry should not have been closed as it was in 1986, and state laws should not be allowed to preempt the federal rules, regulations, and procedures for controlling those items.
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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:21 PM
Response to Reply #30
35. Lotsa Luck.....
...in persuading the American public that there just isn't enough access to full autos and silencers. "Overkill"? Interesting choice of terms......
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:52 PM
Response to Reply #35
37. I have no delusion of that particular freedom ever being incrementally restored
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 04:53 PM by slackmaster
People are by and large ignorant about such things.

It's unfortunate, but not doing any real harm.
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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #37
49. My Compliments On A Healthy Attitude On This Matter
n/t
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 09:30 PM
Response to Reply #27
48. It means only legal people will get the gun
The reason criminals, for the most part, don't use rifles (auto or otherwise) is because they don't want them.

In this particular instance, it works because the 1934 law was enacted before there were a whole lot of full-autos running around. Mostly it was Tommy guns and BARs.
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Richard Steele Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:02 PM
Response to Original message
26. He's only "insane" to people with an irrational fear of firearms. nm
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:09 PM
Response to Original message
31. OMG, he also auctions off impounded cars!!11!!1!!!
ZOMG! Didn't you see Deathrace 2000?! This guys nutz!
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #31
32. Yes, someone might get drunk and get in an accident
:nuke:
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
40. I Have No Technical Issue With This.
If the state already allows the purchase of machine guns through a rigorous permit process, than I fail to see the logical problem of auctioning one off to only those already permitted to buy one.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #40
41. donsu fell into the "Gun Guys" Chicken Little propaganda machine
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 05:37 PM by slackmaster
Everything on that site is tainted with misinformation. Just this week they were the source of the incorrect story that the NRA had engineered the smearing of Outdoor Life hunting writer Jim Zumbo after he smeared millions of us for owning rifles with plastic stocks, even though it all happened over a weekend when the NRA's offices are closed. (I wrote letters to Zumbo, Outdoor Life, and several of his sponsors without anyone telling me to.)
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:42 PM
Response to Reply #41
43. I Disagree.
Based on the OP's premise, I would surmise that there wasn't any 'falling for the propaganda' that occurred, but instead was an intentionally sought after piece of propaganda.

Some are fooled or manipulated by propaganda while others use it intentionally in an attempt to fool others. I don't consider the OP to be part of the former class and have more the feeling that they know full well the intent.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:22 AM
Response to Reply #43
53. So where are all the "objective" gun websites?
If "Gun Guys" is, as you say, trash propaganda, where do you get your info? Links, please.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:35 AM
Response to Reply #53
59. Would the Michigan State Police and Legislature be objective enough for you?
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 10:42 AM by slackmaster
Here's a link to a PDF document (which I found on the MSP Web site) of Michigan state firearm laws, including applicable federal laws and numerous authoritative opinions about what they all mean:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/firearms.pdf

Search the document for "machinegun" to find all the applicable laws and regulations for taking possession of one legally in Michigan.

According to the Violence Policy Center, a gun control lobbying group, as of 1999 there were 6,370 legally owned machineguns in the state of Michigan, all registered to people who have had extensive background checks and signoffs from their local chief law enforcement officers.

http://www.vpc.org/studies/gunthree.htm

Why would one more pose a threat to public safety?
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:33 PM
Response to Reply #59
66. You've stated that "Gun Guys" is propaganda.
That's a gun website, right? I could refer you to the NH gun laws, too. But that's not the kind of website I was asking you about. I'm sure that an avid gun lover like yourself goes to gun sites. Which ones do you frequent? I'm sure they're very objective.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #66
73. I go to firearm-related sites that provide useful technical information
About the types of firearms that I own.

Of course political issues get discussed on them, and I would never be so naive as to say they are unbiased or free of propaganda.

The Gun Guys is NOT a "gun website". Gun-related Web sites provide useful information about firearms. Gun Guys is a hysterical anti-gun Web site.

Which ones do you frequent?

That's personal and frankly none of your business.

If you post misinformation, I will challenge it and back up my challenge with verifiable information from credible sources.
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donsu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #41
83. it's not me that fell into propaganda

guns are made for killing

lots of killing going on in the US

lots of innocent people (children) being killed by guns

that's a truth that can't be denied
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 10:44 AM
Response to Reply #83
87. Like other things made for killing, guns have other uses
Edited on Sun Mar-04-07 10:48 AM by slackmaster
The lawful transfer of one collectable, registered automatic rifle to qualified buyer won't result in any killing or dead children.
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 08:11 PM
Response to Reply #83
95. So, you want to lower the gun crime rate
Kudos for you.

Except, um....

Why do you think it will lower the overall homicide and violent crime rate? Would you be happier if 5,000 a year were killed by guns and 10,000 by 'other' than the opposite?

Check out the discussion in this thread before replying, especially between myself and billbuckhead.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x18255

You might want to watch the video as well, but that's entirely up to you. It's informative, not propaganda.
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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:54 PM
Response to Original message
44. good
class 3 weapons are overpriced. Considering the only one ever used in a crime was owned by a police officer I think that is a great and safe way to dispose of government surplus weapons.

Do you have any idea the type of background check required to buy a weapon like that legally. FBI background check is significant.
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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 05:56 PM
Response to Original message
45. Oh yeah to settle the debate that is a real "assault rifle" not a replica(nt)
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FyurFly Donating Member (512 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:56 PM
Response to Original message
47. Lets get this off the streets!!!

Everyone should chip in and help be buy this and a pallet or ten of ammo :)

Please donate, think of the children and I need a new toy!
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:23 AM
Response to Reply #47
54. Is that what guns are to you?
Toys?
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FyurFly Donating Member (512 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:26 AM
Response to Reply #54
55. I treat them with the upmost respect

They can be as fun as toys when enjoyed properly at a shooting range :)

You have made it clear in your posts that you are afraid of guns, many folks here treat them with respect and are not afraid of them. Perhaps you should take a gun safety course and a visit to the range, you might find you have FUN shooting them.


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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:31 AM
Response to Reply #55
57. While you're having fun shooting them...
Thousands of people are being killed or maimed with them. Enjoy.
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FyurFly Donating Member (512 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:35 AM
Response to Reply #57
58. My firearms have never injured anyone or anything except ...


Paper, beer cans and the occasional clay pigeon. Cars kill people every day, hope you enjoy driving yours as others are dying because of them.

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B Calm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:37 AM
Response to Reply #58
60. I have always thought the right to own a gun is a LIBERAL IDEA!
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JustABozoOnThisBus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #60
90. Sort of a RADICAL idea
by some suspicious folks who didn't want to ratify this newfangled U.S.Constitution without adding a few amendments relating to peoples' rights. Maybe they just didn't trust this idea of a fully-empowered central government.

Anyway, I hope the sheriff gets a good price for the gun. The money could go to some good use, and the gun will go sit in some rich guy's safe, maybe getting shot once in a while at a range.
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dairydog91 Donating Member (520 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #57
63. Specious...
1. What will banning guns from law-abiding owners do to stop this?

2. People die every day from swimming pools, booze, cars, etc. Does that mean I can't enjoy any of those?
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:38 PM
Response to Reply #63
69. That reminds me of the Right-Wing argument....
"Since thousands of people are shot and killed on the streets in this country, what difference does 3,000 or so soldier's death in Iraq make"? You guys sound sooooooooooooooo Right Wing, I feel like I'm reading that "other" website. And that makes me wonder.
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 08:17 PM
Response to Reply #69
96. The three thousand dead soldiers in Iraq would not be a problem IF...
the war was justified. Adequate equiptment and competent leadership would help, as well.

It's called 'national self-defense'.

Practically everybody killed in this country is killed criminally and unjustifiably. I have a problem with that as well as the dead Americans in Iraq, and for the same reason.

My problem with these gun-control political schemes goes like this:

The real problem here is that for for some sort of gun ban to work, it would have to done balls-to-the-wall nationwide. And after spending hundreds of billions of dollars compensating people for the guns the govenment confiscated, and unknown more billions on police raids, court costs, prison time, and the like, the end result wouldn't be too impressive. And it would be years coming, if at all. In Britian they are still waiting for the lower crime and homicide rates after their gun bans.

That same money invested in stronger police forces would do a lot more to lower both the homicide and crime rates, and faster. Or investment in schooling. Or economic investment. Remember, crime plummented under Clinton's good economy and COPS program.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x18255
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dairydog91 Donating Member (520 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #69
99. I fail to see the connection...
Edited on Sun Mar-04-07 10:21 PM by dairydog91
"Since thousands of people are shot and killed on the streets in this country, what difference does 3,000 or so soldier's death in Iraq make"? You guys sound sooooooooooooooo Right Wing, I feel like I'm reading that "other" website. And that makes me wonder.

I don't see how this is related to the issue at hand, and I'd never make the argument you tried to shove into my mouth.

A person with a gun is much more likely to kill than a person without one.

1. You're trying to blame inanimate objects for human violence. It's absurd to do so, as people will remain violent whether or not one means of violence is confiscated.

2. The very argument is based on a logical fallacy. Handing a gun to a person will not make that person violent, just as handing a condom to a kid won't transform him from a chaste Christian into a sex-crazed maniac.

Thanks alot. I'm glad to read that you care so much about the rest of us that "So What" is considered a real answer to a very serious problem. Selfish much?

"Solution" is the wrong word to use here (Or in pretty much any debate, IMHO). Far more appropriate would be "trade off". You're proposing that we trade fewer gun rights in exchange for a sense of security. I say "sense" of security as all evidence shows that the NFA does a superb job of keeping machineguns out of the hands of criminals. Even your use of the word "care" is absurd in the context of your post. You don't seem to be interested in the actual effective of machinegun regulations, you instead seem wholly fixated on symbolic gestures meant to show some sort of moral superiority.

P.S. Remember that Ben Franklin quote? "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security?" Amazing how quickly that was brought out when the Repugs started chopping up the 4th Amendment, and how quickly it was shelved when the Gun Crusades resumed.

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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #57
67. Same for my car and someones coke habit
it takes a person to kill, not an object.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #67
71. A person with a gun is much more likely to kill....
Than a person without one. With a gun, killing is easy. You can even just "drive-by" and shoot somebody. You don't have to get close to the person to shoot him. And all the pro-gun statistics in the world does not change that one truth. People get drunk, run to get their guns, and shoot somebody with them. C'mon, common sense tells us that this happens all the time. I'm not saying that YOU do this, but when I read my local paper, I know that getting a gun is so easy, addicts, domestic violence offenders and other people with records seem to get them pretty easily.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:56 PM
Response to Reply #71
75. Are you suggesting that having a gun makes one more inclined to kill?
Do they emit some kind of thought control beams?

:tinfoilhat:
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #75
76. I'm saying that having a gun makes it EASIER to KILL...
And you know it.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #76
78. So what?
Either I'm going to kill or I am not. If I decided to kill someone, lack of a firearm would not even slow me down.
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #78
82. So that's what the DU gun lobby says, huh?
Thanks alot. I'm glad to read that you care so much about the rest of us that "So What" is considered a real answer to a very serious problem. Selfish much?
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:24 PM
Response to Reply #82
84. Sorry, but I don't understand the logic in your reply
What, if anything, do you think I am doing that is harmful to someone else?
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zanne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #84
85. I'm sorry. That was out of line.
I shouldn't have called you selfish; I don't even know you.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #85
86. Thanks - I care very much about other people
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 01:42 PM by slackmaster
As with most other things that can be used to kill a person, firearms have other legitimate uses. Mine are mainly used as collectables. I also use them for recreational shooting, and for teaching gun safety. I've taught close to 100 people how to safely handle, unload, and operate firearms in the last 25 years.

I keep my collection clean, unloaded, and locked up in a sturdy 1,600 pound safe that is bolted to the concrete slab floor of my house.



If anything, my activities are taking firearms out of general circulation. I've given a few away as gifts to people I know well, loaned one to a friend who needed it for a month, but have never sold one.
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Edweird Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #75
79. Of course they do.......
Didja get that memo?
To say otherwise about guns or anything positive about pit-bulls makes one a freeper troll.
:sarcasm:
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #79
80. Hey, go easy on the pit bulls
You know it's always the owner's fault.

We've gotten pretty far in this thread without any dogs being harmed.

;-)
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Edweird Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #80
81. I've got one that I rescued about 18 mos. ago.
Wife calls him "sweetie boy".
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 08:26 PM
Response to Reply #71
98. Ah, I see now.
A gun is some sort of evil talisman. Like in that "Brady Bunch" episode.

<rolls eyes>

No wonder you don't care about statistics or numbers or other inconvienent facts.
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 07:34 PM
Response to Reply #54
94. Thay are adult fun
and, much like parasailing, rock climbing, racing, parachuting, hang gliding, kyaking, and white-water rafting, need to be done in a responsible fashion to insure everybody's safety.
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B Calm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 10:30 AM
Response to Original message
56. Lets hope a liberal is the winning bidder. We might need this weapon.
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onethatcares Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:26 PM
Response to Original message
65. they're gonna get about 1500.00 dollars for it,
that's enough to gas how many cop cars? What a bunch of lunies
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Pavulon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #65
68. Try 20,0000, that is the price
of a transferable machine gun. That is why they are never used in crimes. People who drop 20 grand on a weapon are not the type to go shoot up the 7-11
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benEzra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-05-07 08:13 AM
Response to Reply #65
101. $15,000 to $75,000, depending on the model and condition...
I have seen a civilian-transferable M16A2 on Gunbroker for $75K.

I think you're confusing M16's with non-automatic civilian AR-15's, which do go for $900-$2000.
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aikoaiko Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:45 PM
Response to Original message
72. Objecting to this auction makes as much sense as objecting to selling off police cars
Edited on Sat Mar-03-07 12:58 PM by aikoaiko
... to raise funds. After all police cars have more powerful engines and lord knows too many are already dying from high speeds on the roads. On the other hand, how many people have died from a legally owned machine gun (as would be the case with the auctioned sheriff's gun) in the last year? the last ten years? the last 50 years?

The amount of fear and ignorance regarding guns among the lunatic fringe astounds me every time.
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-..__... Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-03-07 12:59 PM
Response to Original message
77. If all you bug-eyed gun-grabbers are that opposed or emotional about it...
why not just take up a collection and buy the damn thing yourselves?

Take the evil baby killing machine off the street and have it melted down into something all warm and cozy/touchy-feely like a gas main cover or peace memorial :hug:.
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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 11:32 AM
Response to Reply #77
89. Mind Your Manners

This thread isn't in the Gun Dungeon, at least not yet.

Oh, and bonus points for having the nerve to accuse others of being emotional, after a post like that.....
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Squatch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 12:18 PM
Response to Reply #89
91. Congratulations on your appointment to DU Moderator!
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krispos42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-04-07 08:21 PM
Response to Reply #77
97. Stripping away the emotion, that is actually a good idea for the gun-banning types
There is a fixed amount of full-auto arms in this country. If they began a non-profit that all it did was buy full-autos and then run them a few times through a bandsaw, they could take a lot of full-autos off the streets in a few years.

I'm sure that would make them quite happy.

Wouldn't do jack shit about the crime or homicide rate, but I'm sure that somebody else will be to blame for that.
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benEzra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-05-07 08:11 AM
Response to Original message
100. There has NEVER been a lawfully owned machinegun used in crime
by a non-law-enforcement civilian in the United States since they were restricted in 1934. Ever.

Possession of any machinegun is a 10-year Federal felony by non-police/military unless you obtain Federal permission, in the guise of a BATFE Form 4. To get a Form 4, you have to be so clean that you squeak when you walk, and pass a Federal vetting process that generally takes 6 months.

And oh, the going price for a legal civilian-transferable M16 begins at $15,000. I have seen a M16A2 on Gunbroker going for $75,000.

Anybody that can afford this rifle won't be robbing any banks with it; the'd have to practically OWN the bank to be able to afford the rifle...
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