It seems many of the letter writers are calling for more gun controls on assault weapons. Number one, the term "assault weapon" as used in civilian terms is applied to any semiautomatic firearm with certain cosmetic features that scare people. Many people call for a outright ban on these. This term assault weapon was crafted by members of Congress and the Senate to scare people into thinking they were talking about machine guns. This is a lie! Several in Congress or the Senate were shown firing fully automatic firearms to support their position to enact the 1994 ban.
The assault weapon as defined by the United States government is a shoulder-held weapon capable of fully automatic fire. True assault weapons are strictly regulated by the GCA 1934, which applies to machine guns and machine pistols.
The problems are not what most people call assault weapons; the problem is society in general. Yes, there are many people with mental health issues, but to treat them we must address the stigma attached to mental illness. Families will try to hide the condition of relatives that have mental problems instead of reporting them and seeking professional help. Society tries to integrate people with mental issues into general population and looks on it as a kindness. More gun control is not the answer.
Banning the so-called assault weapons is nothing more than a knee-jerk, feel-good solution that in the end will not make any difference.
Joe Murawski • Villa Ridge
