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2013-01-19 Home Front: Politix

Virginia lawmaker's AK-47 sparks gun debate on House floor

[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] A Richmond-area politician brandished an AK-47 on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday in a wild stunt aimed at rallying support for tougher gun laws.

Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Highland Springs, pulled the weapon out shortly after the day's session got underway, a time when politicians typically welcome school groups and other visitors in the chamber's gallery.

Morrissey assured his colleagues the gun was not loaded and pointed it toward the ceiling as he pleaded for Republican House Speaker Bill Howell to help push through a subcommittee the assault weapons ban that Morrissey is proposing.

"A lot of people don't know that in many locations in the commonwealth, you can take this gun, you can walk in the middle of Main Street loaded and not be in violation of the law," Morrissey said. "Even though the law right now says you can't bring this gun into a high school or elementary or middle school, there is nothing from keeping you from walking in front of [an elementary school with a gun]."

I thought this op-ed in yesterday's Wall Street Journal raised some interesting points on the subject: The Facts About Assault Weapons and Crime. For instance, I did not realize that civilian weapons use much smaller bullets than the military ones.

Posted by Fred 2013-01-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11142 views ] Top

#1 Hey Asshole, that's EXACTLY what we're tryng to Prevent, so let the cops arrest you, Dumbass.

Stunts like that are stupid, and we're trying to legislate stupid OUT, (But can't do it when LEGISLATORS are stupid too)

The whole idea is to regulate Stupid Thuggery, so Quit already.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2013-01-19 02:03|| 2013-01-19 02:03|| Front Page Top

#2 "Son, only a pimp in a Louisiana whore house carries a" ....gun like that.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-01-19 05:24|| 2013-01-19 05:24|| Front Page Top

#3 The civilian versions use the same size ammunition as their military counterparts. AR-15's and M-16's shoot .223 (which is almost identical to 5.56 Nato but slightly different), Ak-47's shoot 7.62 x 39 (a .30 cal round), AK-74's shoot 5.45, etc. Generally speaking, if you buy military surplus ammo for a civilian rifle it works fine.
The joker in this deck is the existence of 'wildcat' chamberings, custom versions that use different ammunition than standard, ie AR's that shoot 7.62 x 39, 9mm, .17 cal, and at least 3 others. I've seen listings for AK-47's in 5 different calibers. The chief issue here is a willingness to spend large money on oddball magazines of dubious quality.
That sentence in the Journal article was technically correct but open to incorrect interpretation.

Posted by ed in texas 2013-01-19 07:18|| 2013-01-19 07:18|| Front Page Top

#4 A good article about legal laws for carrying concealed weapons might prove informative. It varies from place to place. FEDERAL same same for the entire country is not in existence in any comprehensive way. But LOCALLY from town to town and county to county IS. It also helps to be a friend to the Police Department and know Bob and Larry on the force by first name. Maybe donate a case of 9mm ammo every year at Christmas to the local Police Academy or Gun Range where all the men qualify.
And never show what you have on you, never threaten and never warn. And KNOW the Law in your area if you carry.

But IF you carry, carry all the time. Just obey the law. And if you don't make the laws then ask yourself why. I would look into that if I were you. People will push if you don't push back. fact of life. Smile and be hard to push.

Posted by Threater Flusoper9823 2013-01-19 08:01|| 2013-01-19 08:01|| Front Page Top

#5 Generally speaking, if you buy military surplus ammo for a civilian rifle it works fine.

You should refrain from dispensing firearms ammunition advice. You can shoot .223 in a weapon rated for 5.56mm NATO but not the other way around. The NATO round has higher pressures and is not suitable in firearm chambered specifically for the .223 round.

All rifles rated for the 5.56mm NATO should be stamped on the top of the barrel. Additionally, read the manufacturers ammunition guidelines for the individual weapon, and, consult SAAMI guide for a particular rounds pressure rating if in doubt.

You'll see AR and AK pattern rifles in many different calibers because manufacturers are producing uppers in many different calibers. That's a good thing for people like me that enjoy building their own rifles.

Posted by Secret Asian Man 2013-01-19 09:09|| 2013-01-19 09:09|| Front Page Top

#6 SAM, pretty sure ed meant using the correct milsurp ammo in your civilian firearm would work just fine. Same as using the correct military ammo in your military rifle or correct civilian ammo in your civilian rifle. I could use .30-'06 surplus (if I had any) in my 100% civilian bolt-action (though the reverse might not be good for M-1 Garand, depending on the charge.)

Posted by Glenmore 2013-01-19 09:52|| 2013-01-19 09:52|| Front Page Top

#7 An extractor might come in handy (although I've never had to use one). I've not seen a chamber crack or split. Not saying it hasn't happened however, just I've seen it take place. I steer away from hot loads.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-01-19 10:07|| 2013-01-19 10:07|| Front Page Top

#8 Ain't no such thing as an unloaded firearm jackhole; especially with the finger inside the guard. If I ran a range, I'd kick his lilly ass out.

And anyways, there is no law against it, yet nobody does that. What's the problem?

Posted by swksvolFF 2013-01-19 12:06|| 2013-01-19 12:06|| Front Page Top

#9 "Federal same for the entire country is not in existence in any comprehensive way. But LOCALLY from town to town and county to county IS."

Virginia is a shall-issue state, TF. Same gun laws everywhere as far as law enforcement is concerned (though some are probably more concerned than others). As a matter of fact, I've carried on Capitol grounds, as have lots of others. The Capitol police seem to think that if you've qualified for a concealed carry permit, you can be trusted with your firearm.

And Morrissey is an idiot of the first water. He was disbarred 10 years ago; I think he just got re-barred recently.

"there is nothing from keeping you from walking in front of an elementary school with a gun"

Nothing to keep you from driving in front of any school with a car, Joe, and cars cause a LOT more deaths each year than there are gun-related deaths.

Jackass.

Posted by Barbara 2013-01-19 14:22|| 2013-01-19 14:22|| Front Page Top

#10 SAM, was the first word in that sentence "generally"? The range of possible load pressures is virtually limitless. The current 993 load is an easy 50% higher than the original '60s military loads.
Hence the word "generally".

Posted by ed in texas 2013-01-19 15:42|| 2013-01-19 15:42|| Front Page Top

#11 And one other point. The no 5.56 in a .223 is another oversimplified statement. The preban HBAR's marked .223 actually were throated for 5.56, it was concurrent production.
Throat depth is the actual issue, not load pressure.

Posted by ed in texas 2013-01-19 15:48|| 2013-01-19 15:48|| Front Page Top

#12 SAM, was the first word in that sentence "generally"? And I do not like the word "generally"! Not to be on your case, but I've seen too many mishaps with folks and casual information related to ammunition.

I build AR pattern rifles, I reload a few specific calibers, I've seen people get themselves into bad situations as a result of poor information.

I am well versed in the cartridge differences between .223 and 5.56mm. In the main, the decider is round pressures. Tell me, between .308Win and 7.62x51mm, which has the higher pressure?

I have been building rifles and reloading and developing loads for 25 years, you should refrain from giving generic advise.

Posted by Secret Asian Man 2013-01-19 21:38|| 2013-01-19 21:38|| Front Page Top

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