Semi automatic rifles should not be banned

First, let me be clear that we are debating a ban on semi-automatic rifles, not any other kind of firearm. There is one simple, straightforward reason that we should ban semi-automatic rifles: They are tools of murder and nothing else. In a military setting semi-automatic rifles and automatic rifles are excellent weapons and make perfect sense. The immediate job of the army is to kill people. A semi-automatic rifle is an excellent tool for this job. An infantry man who is on the attack with the intent, or at least realistic possibility, of killing a person should have access to a semi-automatic rifle. However, that is the only realistic use of a semi-automatic rifle. It is a weapon designed to kill people. It has no other function which is not severed as well, if not better, by other kinds of weapons. The most common reason people say they need semi-automatic rifles is for hunting or for home defense. A semi-automatic rifle is not a superior weapon for either of these tasks. Let"s consider each of them. HUNTING There are times when a rifle is the best weapon to hunt with. However, a single shot rifle is almost always as effective of a weapon as a semi-automatic rifle. After the first shot animals almost always scatter. The only advantage to a semi-automatic rifle is if someone missed the first shot and planned to fire rapidly at the fleeing animal. This is not an efficient, skilled, or a safe means of hunting and is practiced only by extremely foolish hunters. A wiser hunter takes his time and understand his first shot has to hit. A semi-automatic rifle is not designed for hunting animals. HOME DEFENSE: Home defense is a valid use for firearms. However, a semi-automatic rifle is not the right tool for this job. A semi-automatic rifle is a long range weapon. Home defense happens at close range, or at most at medium range. A handgun is more effective for defense, and a shotgun is an even better choice. A shotgun is the most effective firearm for defense at medium range. It requires less skill and time to aim, while still delivering lethal force. A semi-automatic rifle is most effective at long range. If an attacker is far enough away that a rifle is the best choice of firearm, then fleeing is also an option. If the person chooses not to flee then that person is not simply defending themselves. That person is on the attack. That person is not trying to defend himself. That person is attempting to murder someone, which is what semi-automatic rifles are designed for. (I will note that pro gave a few examples of self-defense using semi-automatic rifles, and in every case Pro mentioned a shotgun would have been a better choice of weapon than a semi-automatic rifle.) Now allow me to consider a few common defenses of semi-automatic rifles. GUNS DON"T KILL PEOPLE; PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. We"ve all heard that line. It is technically true. However, guns make is much easier to kill people. Semi-automatic rifle, which are designed to kill people, do nothing but make murder easier. THE SECOND AMMENDMENT The second amendment of the Constitution reads, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The second amendment is important, but it does not mean that every individual has the right to own every kind of weapon. Certainly we would not say that second amendment means that anyone who can afford one should be able to purchase nuclear weapons. The second amendment is not the freedom for any weapon imaginable. Some firearms are, and should be, protected by the second amendment. However, semi-automatic rifles are clearly designed for military use and killing people. Such a weapon has no place in civilian society. CONCLUSION: Firearms are protected by the second amendment, and can validly be used for hunting and home defense. However, semi-automatic rifles are designed to kill people. They are not the ideal for any other kind use. Banning them will not change human nature or prevent people for murder. But it will make murder, especially mass murder, much more difficult. Semi-automatic rifles have no place in civilian life. Sources: http://www.military-today.com... http://www.nytimes.com... https://www.law.cornell.edu... https://www.bostonglobe.com... http://www.chicagotribune.com... http://www.bostonherald.com...