11 thoughts on “The Media Machine-Gun Myth”

  1. I keep looking for one of those gun shows that sell fully automatic assault rifles – with bayonet lug – no questions asked and throw in a box of bullets and dang if I keep being disappointed by what I find.

  2. My father was a federally licensed gun dealer, mostly so that he could buy whatever firearms he wanted with minimal hassle. But even back then (in the 70s) the hassle of purchasing a fully automatic weapon was immense, and he never even tried to do it.

    As an aside, I recommend that everyone who visits Las Vegas pay a visit to The Gun Store, a few blocks east of the Strip on Tropicana. They have an indoor range, and a wide variety of fully automatic weapons that can be rented (not purchased) and fired for fun and education. It is worthwhile on a number of levels. In addition to being one hell of a lot of fun, it also gives one an appreciation of what our military (any military, actually) faces in a combat situation. I would never, ever want to be on the other side of that muzzle. And I’m even more grateful than ever that there are people who ARE willing to be in that position to defend our country.

  4. “There has been an intentional campaign on the part of the gun-grabbers to conflate semiautomatic weapons and fully automatic weapons in the public mind. Perhaps the Daily News was acting out of ignorance or confusion. If so, it’s a remarkably large lacuna for a newspaper that spends a great deal of time writing about crime and guns.”

    The media has been reminded of this error so many times for so many years that there is no excuse for still getting it wrong today other than a deliberate desire to produce anti-gun propaganda. This propaganda tool of the media goes all the way back to 1985, when Newsweek magazine had a screaming cover story entitled “Machinegun USA”. That is 26 years worth of “oops”. There is no excuse.

  5. Brian,
    like you, I’ve YET to see a full auto weapon at the gun shows. And I’ve never seen anyone buy a gun WITHOUT having show a permit and go through the paperwork drill.

    I have seen numerous clowns try to get a rifle, pistol or shotgun without a permit or by telling the seller they’ve got one at home and they know the number. I’ve never seen it work.

    I said here before that I’ve quit worrying over the U.N. or Democrats or Venusian Storm Troopers. If they are brave enough to come and collect them, the Venusian Storm Troopers, et al, can have my guns.

  6. Our local gun shows almost always have full auto weapons for sale. I have met three guys in the community with class-3 permits.

    I do live in a very rural area. Having moved to this area from Seattle it is my perception that these locals are significantly more self sufficient than their urban counterparts. Certainly not as well educated, or perhaps more accurately, not as well credentialed. But when it comes to mechanical engineering they are freaking marvels.

  7. They may be ‘displaying’ their wares but they are not selling them at the show. It takes months to get the Federal form 4 approved for the transfer to go thru.

  8. The only crime I’ve seen comitted at a Gun Show was some guy trying to sell 5 dollar knives for a hundred bucks.

  9. Titus,
    that’s not a crime. It’s brilliant marketing. Especially IF you can sell a few.

  10. LOL, Schtumpy, it’s like posting 1 bolt of linen cloth on AH for 100gp hoping someone mis-clicks…

  11. It takes months to get the Federal form 4 approved for the transfer to go thru

    Interesting. I will ask one of the guys about that. For me, it was more of a price issue, I had not yet progressed to the regulatory one

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