OH .50 Ban Hearings

Columbus, Ohio City Council held hearings this evening on a proposed ban on so-called "assault weapons," a ban that would also include certain models of   +.50 caliber competition rifles.  The hearing room was packed with concerned local citizens, the vast majority of which were present to speak against the ban.

Testimony kicked off with a representative of Ohio's "People's Rights Organization" (PRO) who spoke eloquently of the many reasons this idea was just plain wrong. He was followed by those in favor of the ban, including the Assistant Chief of Police of Columbus, a Columbus Police Officer, a representative of +the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police), and, finally, a representative from the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence.

The focus of the Columbus police presence was the recent incident of an alleged criminal fleeing police pursuit INTO the city of Columbus. The suspect was allegedly armed with an AK47 and allegedly proceeded to shoot up several homes and police cars in avoiding arrest.  This incident was held up as a reason why such a ban on "assault weapons" was needed in Columbus. How that would've stopped someone from outside Columbus already in the process of violating the law wasn't mentioned.

The OCAGV representative provided a Power-Point presentation to council on the reasons why "assault weapons" are bad and why they must be banned.Unfortunately, the audience was left wondering why almost all the incidents she illustrated of "assault weapon" use occurred during the term of the FEDERAL "assault weapon" ban under Bill Clinton. No reasoning was given as to why Columbus should institute a similar ban, one that had already been shown to be a failure, on a magnitude that even the US Congress recognized and, rightfully, allowed to expire.

The OCAGV representative then provided numerous examples of how the SKS rifle had been used as an "assault weapon" in crimes, but the SKS isn't covered by the definition of Columbus's own proposed ban.  (It is semi-automatic, but does not have a protruding pistol grip, nor one for the non-trigger hand, nor a barrel shroud, nor a flash hider/muzzle brake, nor a thumb-hole/folding/telescoping stock, nor is the magazine detachable.)

While there were numerous people present speaking against the ban, far more than for it, the most interesting point in the evening came when it was pointed out by one opponent that, while Columbus City Council was proposing to ban an entire class of firearm because they "...are the weapons of choice for terrorists..." and because they are "...primarily designed to kill humans quickly and efficiently...," that same city council had just appropriated funds to equip its own police department with the exact same class of weapon!

If you were unable to attend this evening's meeting, there's still time for you to respectfully weigh in with your own views. You can see details of the proposal, as well as comment on the bill, by going to this website:

http://www.columbuscitycouncil.org/assaultweaponban/

As always, please continue to visit the Fifty Caliber Institute website for all the latest on our efforts to defend your RIGHT to own the rifle caliber of YOUR choice.