Why I need an assault weapon

[jshuberg]

One of the biggest questions/arguments right now by both those who wish to disarm us as well as those who simply don't understand the issue is why does anyone need an assault weapon? Despite the fact that we don't have to show a need to execute our rights, it's a question that I think people deserve an answer to. After all, firearms can be very dangerous in the wrong hands, so it makes sense that people not familiar with the issue would want to know why ordinary citizens should be allowed to own them. I get the impression that a lot of people on our side of the debate consider the very question to be distasteful, and how dare anyone question us as to why.

Reading articles, watching interviews, etc. where intelligent, well spoken people are asked this question, they have typically responded that we need them to defend against a tyrannical government. While this is true, and something the founders had in mind when they recognized the right to bear arms, it's an argument that the opposition can very easily spin to make us look looney or paranoid. Instead of jumping directly into this argument, I think there is a better and much more digestible answer:

I need the ability to own an assault weapon because the constitution of the United States says it's necessary for the security of a free state.

There are multiple ways to explain how the 2nd Amendment applies to so called "assault weapons", most notably the recent Heller ruling where the meaning of the term arms was examined and determined by he Supreme Court. We can speak to defending against tyranny as one example as to why the constitution states we need to right to bear arms, but the best and first answer to the question of why we need the right is that the constitution states that it is in fact necessary for a free state.

[FJ540]

Incident's like Katrina, Watt's riots, Flooding (happens often here) - all can bring the worst out in people. While normally we man up and lend a hand, that's certainly NOT what happened in the superdome in New Orleans as well as multiple other accounts of looting and general douche-baggery. Had those people in the superdome been armed, would how many rapes have still occurred? Doubt it. Would some unsavory folks be dead? Maybe.

I have semi auto military style rifles (not assault rifles, as burst and full auto aren't legal), because I like them. I learned to like them while serving in the US Army, who trained me to use them properly (by shooting at life size human figure targets).

I have a 16" .223 carbine for one sole purpose - in case I need it. I have others I use for sport, but I have one that's sole role in life is to defend my butt if things come to that. It's a short range (my designation and how I have it configured), no frills, absolutely reliable gun, and is always stored mission ready in the front of my safe. My carry gun will get me to my rifle, from there it's rifle all the way.

[LarryFlew]

Tell them how modular they are. If i break something any brand of part will replace it. I don't have to find Remington gunsmith (or whatever brand i have) to buy a functional part. I can get different uppers that take minutes to change to different calibers or setups for short or long range shooting. There just isn't anything as versatile out there. They look like military weopons but similarity ends there.

Helps to tell them more than just because we can.

[northernbird]

I think all three of you have good answers. And depending on the folks that bring it up, any and all are a good response. I think the one thing to emphasize is the difference between an assault weapon, and what they are probably talking about. Yeah i know thats been beat to death here and on every other forum, but the difference is important for folks that dont know, as are the similarities between an AR style gun and most other semi autos.

[rukwikenuf]

my response has been that i need one because that's what most LE/Mil have. however, they get the giggle switch (Mil definately, LE sometimes). the way that i see it, if the government wants complete control, they need to first disarm us. that would be a lot harder if every home had an AR in it.

now, i'm not saying that i THINK this is going to happen, nor that i'm paranoid because i BELIEVE that it will happen. only that if i were being picked on by a bully, i'd want as much of an advantage as i could get

[tman]

Perhaps you could say, "Why do I have one? The real question is, "WHY DON'T YOU?" And then when they say they would never need one, you could give all kinds of reasonable examples of why they might...

[bpacman]

Perhaps it is better to leave out the part about protecting yourself from Tyranny. When you make the decision to be responsible for your own safety and protection that means that you also have to consider and comprehend possible versus likely threats. Multiple Attackers are a possible threat and having sufficient firepower to neutralize such a threat is important.

Most sheeple can only comprehend lone gunman type scenarios and believe that the police will be there to save them in time.

Some of us comprehend the possibility that our Government could resort to Tyranny, especially when we see a pattern of behavior that matches previous history of known Governments that evolved into a Tyrannical System of Government. However, convincing people what you see and comprehend is very difficult when they refuse to see or don't understand the history.

So on this second inauguration event that should not have occurred stay calm, carry one and keep them clean and ready.

Bp

[LePetomane]

I do not own any semiautomatic rifles. However a lot of the anti gun crowd don't make any distinction between different types of firearms. My response is this: I own these particular firearms because as a law abiding citizen in this country I have the freedoms to do so. This drives some of the moonbats I know crazy. They will support the right to abortion to their deathbed but the freedom of choice when it comes to guns is different. The other thing I tell them is that abortion has taken more lives than assault rifles. Hit em' where it hurts.

[XDM45]

Most sheeple can only comprehend lone gunman type scenarios and believe that the police will be there to save them in time.

They apparently haven't heard of Warren v. District of Columbia

[45Badger]

I do not own any semiautomatic rifles. However a lot of the anti gun crowd don't make any distinction between different types of firearms. My response is this: I own these particular firearms because as a law abiding citizen in this country I have the freedoms to do so. This drives some of the moonbats I know crazy. They will support the right to abortion to their deathbed but the freedom of choice when it comes to guns is different. The other thing I tell them is that abortion has taken more lives than assault rifles. Hit em' where it hurts.

Nice point! I wonder how many people are killed each year as a result of DWI/DUI. What other non constitutionally protected activities that we take for granted cause death and mayhem?

[45Badger]

Couple things. Maybe we should stop-

Using the term "need". Few (probably none) of us "need" our guns. The Second Amendment (like the others) is nothing about needs. It's about rights, and our ability to peacefully exercise those rights.

Using the term "assault weapon"- Language wins the day and the antis have successfully positioned and identified our semi-automatic evil black guns as weapons of war. The gun industry trying to re-brand them as modern sporting arms is probably the best generic option for us to use. I prefer to be more specific- Why I own an "AR15" is a lot less problematic than why I own an "assault weapon".

Just sayin'

[Ramoel]

It' simple, I have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and guns make me happy.

[Mn01r6]

It' simple, I have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and guns make me happy.

Don't forget that they play a major role in preserving the first two rights you listed

[Duff-Man]

I don't need to have to one I own, but I wanted it. Used to be wanting something and working for it was enough of a reason for anything in this country.

[xd ED]

It won't resonate with most of the loonies, but on another board the remark was made, to the effect '...Rosa Parks didn't NEED to ride in the front of the bus, either...'