That's a problem, Dick. If you see an assault weapon, you know right away that's what it is. It looks like it's meant to kill people at close or medium range, and it doesn't look like it would be accurate enough for long-range shooting by hunters. Look at the Bushmaster Website - you can tell right off that those are assault weapons. Trouble is, how do you come up with a definition that people can't weasel around?

I think these are the gun control restrictions we need:

• define and then prohibit assault weapons
  
• register all firearms, and do a background check on buyers before they can obtain a weapon
  
• register and identify all ammunition, so bullets used in crimes can be traced to gun owners
  
• Control the issuance of concealed-weapons permits, so that they are issued only to those who have legitimate needs, not just the desire for a permit
  
• Prohibit the carrying of loaded firearms in urban areas, except on the owner's property or place of employment or business

If people want to keep and use firearms on their own property or place of business, I think that arguably a legitimate use - although I don't like it. I don't think that civilians should have to carry firearms in areas where other people are likely to be. Leave that to sworn law enforcement officers.

Yes, I know gun owners will disagree, but my feeling is that they threaten my safety, and they have no right to do that outside their own property. Doesn't my safety supersede their wish to carry firearms?

-Joe-