Bob Wise: “the ban on assault weapons will not stop criminals from committing crimes, nor will it stop them from obtaining guns.…”

“the ban on assault weapons will not stop criminals from committing crimes, nor will it stop them from obtaining guns. The only thing this legislation will do is keep law-abiding citizens from owning the rifle, shotgun, or pistol of their choice. I am alarmed at the panic that has been caused by the proponents of this legislation. The semiautomatic firearms that the assault weapon legislation seeks to ban make up less than 1 percent of all guns in circulation. Laws already exist that forbid convicted felons from owning firearms. Laws also exist that govern when a gun may be used and how it may be carried. The only true military-style assault weapons are fully automatic and have been stringently controlled since 1934. This legislation will have no effect on the sale or ownership of automatic firearms which fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger. This legislation deals with the semiautomatic firearm which fires one shot with one pull of the trigger--just like any other firearm. There is no difference in the action of a semiautomatic hunting rifle and the action of a semiautomatic rifle that would be banned except for the outward appearance of military hardware such as a folding stock or bayonet lug. With these items, it is considered an assault weapon and without these items, it is a sporting rifle.”