The sale of assault rifles should not be legalized for a number of common sense reasons. Although most of the reasons for not legalizing assault weapons have more to do with common sense than statistics, they are nonetheless legitimate reasons for curtailing (to any extent) the random violence that has permeated the core of modern life in America. If statistics show that only a small percentage of crimes are attributable to assault-style weapons, real life incidents of violence demonstrate the absolute folly of allowing such military-style weapons to be bought and sold in America today.
Naturally enough, the NRA and Schumer figures (referring to figures ascertained by Rep. Charles Schumer) differ as to the prevalence of assault rifle violence. A recent Time article sums up the necessity for a common sense solution to gun crime, even in the face of contentious statistics. As Time journalist Jonathan Alter notes,
"In a sense, the NRA is right that the assault-weapon ban is a 'feel good' solution that allows politicians to posture on crime without seriously reducing it. Only 1.5 percent (the NRA's figure) or 8 percent (Schumer's figure) of gun deaths can be attributed to these weapons . . . yet what rational person wouldn't want to lesson the odds of 'Street Sweepers' finding their way into the hands of itchy-fingered 14-year-olds? (24)
Congress's vote to ban assault weapons is a common sense victory in a move toward a safer America. It signifies a growing awareness that the sporting life characterized by the legal use of recreational firearms will in no way be threatened by those who advocate the sensible control of weapons designed to spray bullets in a military barrage. Even Republican Henry Hyde, who was originally against the ban, voted for it, in the final analysis. He read the statistics about the assault weapons most favored by drug dealers, armed robbers, and mass murderers only to conclude that assault rifle...