Semi-Automatic Firearms should be illegal for Civilians - Exception is with permit

Permit: to consent to expressly or formally Semi-automatic firearms have no legitimate purpose in American society. Frequently, children are consequently exposed to these types of firearms, and these firearms aggravate the problem. An example is at the Columbine Massacre in 1999, or at other fights among people. What might have been an assault with fists and knives in the past now becomes a homicide because kids have semiautomatic weapons and handguns." Now, this debate is centered on semi-automatic firearms. There are basically 3 different reasons why people pursue to own semi-automatic firearms: - Hunting purposes - Defense - Collection Hunting Purposes I think that semi-automatic firearms can be allowed among hunters, as well as regular rifles, but both should require federal or state registration. Then, among both federal and private dealers, before leaving with the weapon, the dealer should proceed with using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This system, currently only required by the national government in federally licensed dealers, should be used in all formal dealers. People with psychiatric issues as well could be put into this system if they pose enough of a threat. A permit allows something to occur, so using the NICS and a background check (if required by state or local law). ~This would allow law abiding citizens to purchase hunting rifles (semi-auto or regular) and prevent criminals from getting these types of weapons. Defensive Purposes Having a semi-automatic weapon for defense is a bad idea, not a question. Having an unsecured, loaded gun in the house, especially a semi-automatic gun, leads to more trouble. It is more common for family members to be shot and killed by a weapon instead of thwarting a home invasion. Instead of using a gun, I recommend using something less lethal including a knive, mace, or pepper spray. These are not lethal, and cause no guilt to the homeowner or person who could've been a victim. Similarly, they are less likely to harm family members. If children get into the weapons, the parent, larger obviously, would either escape injury or only be minorly injured. For a home invasion, pepper spray would severly incapacitate the criminal, enough time to call the police, and/or "secure" the criminal, or to scare the criminal away. However, a more acceptable household with guns is with more vulnerable individuals without children. A semi-automatic gun can be used if obtained by a permit using the NICS process described earlier. Cases for an example situation is with a women being stalked. Still, using less lethal weapons such as a mace, pepper spray, etc. would cause less harm to the criminal, and more importantly the homeowner/ potential victim. ~Allows truly in danger individuals to protect themselves in non-lethal ways, and causes less danger for parents, family members, and children alike. Allows the ones in life threatening scenarios (stalking, etc) to defend themselves. Collection Purposes Simple answer to this point. Join the military. Go to a museum. General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, has my reason in a nutshell, here is what his opinion: "I like to hunt. I have some twenty guns in the house. People who like assault weapons, they should join the U.S. Army, we have them." He is also for gun control measures (like limiting the availability of semi-automatic guns). Conclusion: I say that semi-automatic firearms should be illegal for citizens without a permit. Permits should be required for all semi-automatic weapons and the people receiving them should be scanned using the NICS. I think that other ways of defense should be used in households that are less lethal. Sources: http://www.nytimes.com... http://scienceblogs.com... http://www.merriam-webster.com... http://www.law.cornell.edu... http://en.wikipedia.org... http://www.gun-control-network.org... http://www.firearmsid.com... http://en.wikipedia.org... http://en.wikipedia.org...