The Sale of Assault Rifles

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

. . .
-called "war on drugs." Although we are not winning the war on drugs in America today, we have seized drugs and assets of drug dealers in record numbers since the inception of the war. Authorities who seek to stem the flow and distribution of assault rifles will be serving an analogous function to that of narcotics agents who have attempted to control drug trafficking. There is, however, cause for great concern on both the drug and assault rifle fronts. Drugs continue to destroy those least equipped by society to afford them, and assault rifles continue to proliferate, many times in tandem with, drug trafficking. In addition, increased shipments of assault weapons threaten to enter America in increasing numbers. Time reports that the market for assault weapons is "going great guns" (24). In an "Informed Sources" article from Washington, the article reports: The market for assault weapons is going great guns, thanks to the collapse of the Soviet empire. Freed from government restraints, arms merchants in Russia and Eastern Europe are selling their wares abroad at low, low prices. In recent months [circa May, 1993], says a U.S. Customs Service source, the price of a Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle has dropped a third, fr
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Approximate Word count = 1767
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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