Re: Bill would open sales of automatic weapons
- From: HarryNadds <hoofhearted07@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:34:07 -0700 (PDT)
On Mar 14, 10:31 am, "Patriot Games" <Patr...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://cjonline.com/stories/031408/sta_257711292.shtml
Bill would open sales of automatic weapons
Friday, March 14, 2008
Gun dealers, manufacturers and private citizens could possess automatic
weapons under a bill considered Thursday by the House Federal and State
Affairs Committee.
Supporters of the measure say it would help firearms dealers hurt by a
recent interpretation of Kansas law, and most on the committee appeared
favorable to the legislation.
Some, however, questioned whether the proposal went too far in allowing
individuals the right to own a machine gun.
"I don't think law enforcement thinks it's the end of the world if it gets
expanded," said Ed Klumpp, lobbyist for the Kansas Association of Chiefs of
Police and a former Topeka police chief. "But they're not excited about it
either."
Aaron Einsel wants to see the bill passed. The owner of Aaron's Guns in
Greensburg, Einsel has been federally licensed for 30 years to sell
silencers and automatic weapons to law enforcement departments.
"These firearms are used in high-risk situations where the safety of the
officers involved depends on the ability to deliver suppressed, accurate,
rapid fire in order to neutralize multiple dangerous targets," he said.
But in December, then-Attorney General Paul Morrison issued an opinion
saying Kansas law doesn't allow those sales. The bill heard Thursday would
put the law back in line with how it was previously understood.
It also goes one step further.
The legislation would give individuals the opportunity to purchase, for
instance, a machine gun.
Klumpp said his group supported the right of manufacturers and dealers to
sell the weapons to law enforcement but was wary of expanding the bill to
private citizens.
"We just have failed to hear any valid reasons for expanding it to
individuals," he said.
Do people need a reason? asked Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth.
"If people want to possess it, it's up to them," she said.
Supporters of the bill pointed out that states surrounding Kansas already
have this law, as does the federal government.
Jordan Austin, lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, clicked off the
laundry list of requirements for someone to be able to own an automatic
weapon - a background check, local law enforcement approval, fingerprints,
photographs, a $200 fee and a dictionary-sized book of regulations to
follow.
"These are the most law-abiding citizens in the country right now," Austin
said.
Tim McGill, whose Cine Specialists in Wichita provides firearms for the
movie industry, said it isn't unusual for a machine gun to cost upwards of
$30,000, well out of the financial reach for most people.
"The idea that people are going around willy-nilly shooting is probably not
a likelihood," McGill said.
McGill and Einsel joined other businesses at the hearing to protest the
current law's consequences for their sales. Einsel said his business in
Greensburg is "basically shut down."
The committee did hear a bill last week that would have allowed dealers in
Kansas to own and sell the weapons but not manufacturers or importers. Rep..
Ann Mah, D-Topeka, wondered if the panel could pull together a bill that
would allow dealers, manufacturers and importers to sell automatic weapons
but would prohibit individuals from possessing them.
"I just have a problem with going beyond (dealers)," she said.
The committee is expected to vote on the measure next week.
HOTDAMM!! Maybe I'll get that select fire M-16 after all !!
.
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