Georgia state Senator Donzella James has filed SB 281 a bill “…to prohibit the possession of automatic and semi-automatic guns…” That might seem significant enough on its own, but this one is crafted such that…
I almost want this to pass unamended.
I say almost, because the bill would do a few other things of which I also disapprove: ban “high” capacity magazine (more than ten rounds) and private sales at gun shows. It would also require “secure storage” of firearms by dealers.
But let’s look at that semi-auto ban. As is so often the case, the nitty gritty is hidden in the definitions.
SB 281: Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices; possession of automatic and semi-automatic guns; prohibit; revise and provide definitions
[…]
As used in this part, the term:
(1) ‘Automatic or semi-automatic gun’ means any weapon which shoots or is designed to shoot:
(A) Automatically, more than six shots, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger; or
(B) Without any action needed to fire consecutive shots, other than having ammunition loaded in such weapon’s feeding device.
As is clear from part (A), Senator Duncella McGrabagun clearly thinks semi-automatic firearms are machine guns. She displays the usual level of expertise on the part of those who would craft the laws under which we all have to live.
Ah, but then there’s (B)…
Personally, I think a firearm that starts chain-firing as soon as you insert a magazine should be repaired, not banned.
I wonder if I could get Senator James to file a bill to ban semi-assault weapons firing heat-seeking, bullet-piercing bullets, too.
In government, anything’s possible.