Look, I don't want to keep arguing this point as I don't see my opinion chaning anyone's mind. But I'm going to point a couple things out before I take off:
1) Evidence that criminals don't use assault weapons during crimes isn't evidence that the ban is useless, it's evidence that it works. These weapons have been banned from being manufactured for 10 years now. The pre-94 weapons have substantially increased in price. Any of you collectors out there are more than welcome to buy pre-banned rifles at a collector's price--but companies can't make new ones.
2) Your ability to make a legal gun look like an illegal one notwithstanding, law enforcement officials won't know whether they are looking down the barrel of a fully automatic AR15 or not. Why you failed to mention in your example above that there is a fully auto version of the AR15 is beyond me. A semi-auto version can be converted to a full auto by exchaning some parts and shaving metal from the internals. Granted the mini-14 can be converted, as well, but, well...that leads into this next point:
Quote:
Q. How is it possible to distinguish semi-automatic hunting rifles from semi-automatic assault weapons?
A. Sporting rifles and assault weapons are two distinct classes of firearms. While semi-automatic hunting rifles are designed to be fired from the shoulder and depend upon the accuracy of a precisely aimed projectile, semi-automatic assault weapons are designed to maximize lethal effects through a rapid rate of fire. Assault weapons are designed to be spray-fired from the hip, and because of their design, a shooter can maintain control of the weapon even while firing many rounds in rapid succession.
Because assault weapons were designed for military purposes, assault weapons are equipped with "combat hardware," such as silencers, folding stocks and bayonets, which are not found on sporting guns. While opponents of the new law restricting semi-automatic assault weapons argued that such weapons only "look scary," there is a good reason why these features on assault weapons should frighten the public. Assault weapons are commonly equipped with some or all of the following combat hardware:
Large-capacity ammunition magazine, enabling the shooter to continuously fire dozens of rounds without reloading. Standard hunting rifles are equipped with no more than 3 or 4-shot magazines.
Folding stock on a rifle or shotgun, which sacrifices accuracy for advantages such as concealability and mobility in close combat.
Pistol grip on a rifle or shotgun, which facilitates firing from the hip, allowing the shooter to spray-fire the weapon. A pistol grip also helps stabilize the firearm during rapid fire.
Barrel shroud which is designed to cool the barrel so the firearm can shoot many rounds in rapid succession without overheating. It also allows the shooter to grasp the barrel area, without incurring serious burns, during rapid fire.
Threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, which serves no useful sporting purpose. The flash suppressor allows the shooter to remain concealed when shooting at night, an advantage in combat but unnecessary for hunting or sporting purposes. In addition, the flash suppressor is useful in preventing barrel climb during rapid fire, helping the shooter maintain control of the firearm.
Threaded barrel designed to accommodate a silencer, which is useful to assassins but has no purpose for sportsmen.
Barrel mount designed to accommodate a bayonet, which obviously serves no sporting purpose.
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--http://www.millionmommarch.org/facts/gunlaws/awb.asp
Now granted, I think shooting semi's off are fun. But as soon as I could, I "fixed" my tech-9 and sks's. We might reach a consensus on where the line between regulating guns should be, but you aren't going to convince me that there is no functional difference between a fold-down polycarbonate stock, pistol grip rifle with a 50 round clip and a wooden stock, full lenght, ruger hunting rifle with a 3 round clip.