In response to
'Gun Free' Zones Are Often Anything But

rab in jo, mo
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 4:57 PM

That's some convoluted thinking right there. Criminals have access to whatever weapons they have the motivation to obtain. It has nothing whatsoever with what the law-abiding may own.

Most criminals obtain weapons from three sources: 1) they steal them, 2)they make them (it's not that hard if you have access to metalworking machines), or 3)they buy them on the black market. Don't think that weapons can't be smuggled into the country along with drugs or other contraband.

In no State can someone walk in off the street and legally purchase a fully-automatic weapon without undergoing fingerprinting, background check, and buyoff from the Chief law enforcement officer in that jurisdiction. A class 03 FFL (or 07 SWOT license) requires the same scrutiny. There's also the issue of the $200 tax stamp that must be purchased from the BATFE anytime a full-auto is transferred. Possession of a full-auto without the tax stamp and paperwork will earn you 10yrs in Club Fed and a hefty fine. Do you really think all of this prevents criminals from obtaining a fully-automatic weapon if they so desire?

By the way, while most SKS are clip-fed, I've never encountered ammunition clips holding more than 10 rds that function with an SKS. Now there are aftermarket extended magazines for the SKS that hold 40rds, but no clips.