Our party has for years managed to shoot itself in the foot supporting the extreme gun control schemes manufactured by organizations such as the Brady Campaign.
The Assault Weapons Ban is one example of a totally foolish law that accomplished little or nothing but did allow the Republicans to gain the support of many voters who agree with the Democratic Party on many important issues.
The Assault Weapons ban DID NOT ban the semi-auto rifles that looked like fully automatic military assault rifles it targeted. Let's look at what it did ban:
Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
Folding or telescoping stock
Pistol grip
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
Grenade launcher (more precisely, a muzzle device which enables the launching or firing of rifle grenades)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban Just how important is a bayonet mount, a flash suppressor or a grenade launcher on a rifle?
Recently the news media has stated that during the time the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect, the sale of magazines (clips to those who love to use incorrect terminology) that held more than 10 rounds was banned. What was banned was the sale of magazines that held more than 10 rounds manufactured after a certain date. The hi-cap magazines were always available, they just merely cost more.
All the publicity about these semi-auto rifles caused them to gain great popularity. Prior to the ban, few shooters had any interest in such firearms and they were ridiculed as "Matell Shooting Guns" or cheap plastic guns. After the ban, shooters began to realize how accurate and versatile these weapons are and rushed out to buy one and of course a high capacity magazine to go with it.
Limited magazine size to 10 rounds also backfired in a different way. Manufacturers started to make very compact pistols that held 10 rounds or less. Such small and very light weapons led to far more people getting a concealed carry permit and carrying these weapons in public.
But possibly the worst result was that the Republicans were able to get the votes of gun owners who had a significant amount of money and time invested in their hobby and feared future bans or even confiscation.
Our party needs to back away from restrictive gun control targeting honest citizens and instead focus future efforts on disarming dishonest criminals who misuse firearms to rob, rape and pillage.