Argument: Most automatic weapons were already illegal under the National Firearms Act of 1934

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• Rachel Alexander, Columnist and Legal Analyst. “Will Lapse of the Assault Weapons Ban Lead to More Columbines?”. The American Partisan. October 29, 2004 – “The ban made illegal the manufacture of clips that held more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and banned the manufacture of 19 guns that resembled automatic military assault rifles in appearance. However, automatic weapons have been generally illegal to the public since the National Firearms Act of 1934 was passed, so characterization of the 19 semi-automatic guns as military-style ‘assault weapons’ has always been misleading.

And contrary to public statements made recently by proponents of the ban, ‘Uzis’ as most people think of them have not become legal – the fully automatic submachine gun used in movies such as The Matrix and used by the military for the last 50 years remains banned since 1934. It is deceptive to refer to ‘Uzis’ now being available when in fact it is only the semi-automatic pistol that is meant. The 19 banned guns simply cannot convert to fully automatic fire as a military assault rifle can.”