When I wrote a column supporting famous Wyoming hunting writer Jim Zumbo who lost some of his jobs when blogging about his dislike of certain types of assault rifles for hunting, I quickly got educated by gun owners who know far more about these things than I do.
What I learned is that I am not certain how to define an assault rifle or weapon. Perhaps it's kind of like the old Supreme Court justice who admitted that he couldn't define pornography but knew it when he saw it. Experts have different interpretations.
As the Obama Administration considers reviving the assault weapon ban to the consternation of gun rights organizations, I actually wonder if the proposed ban is more about symbolism than reality. With all the issues on the table in the nation right now, is this a controversy the new president really needs?
I'm just not certain there is a problem here.
Honestly, how often in reality do ordinary citizens use assault rifles? And how often are these rifles used in crimes? Seems like pistols are the tool of choice for most criminals and that we have plenty of tough laws to prosecute bad guys who use guns in a crime.
I just don't understand the pressing need for an assault weapons ban right now. But I could be wrong. I'd sure like to get a discussion going on this. Anybody out there got a good reason that assault weapons should be banned?
-- Tom Wharton