Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

It turns out the BATF has a metric in terms of tools, skill and time needed to turn a semi-auto gun into full auto, and has banned ones that fall below that threshold, like MAC-10 and -11 clones with fixed firing pins in the bolt face.

And, no, it doesn't catalyze this, or at least no more than allowing the sale of millions of finished AR-15s. Those are a lot closer than a 80% receiver and a pile of parts, "Some assembly required".



It turns out the BATF has a metric in terms of tools, skill and time needed to turn a semi-auto gun into full auto

The metric is absurd. As one gunsmith noted, he could turn a VW Bug (car) into a machine-gun well within the BATF metric.


> the sale of millions of finished AR-15s

ITYM millions of traceable AR-15s.

If someone wants an untraceable machine gun, they can buy this device and perform mods.

∴ This device catalyzes making untraceable machine guns.


What makes those guns traceable? The fact that they have a serial number on them (which can easily be filed off)?


And why do we give a damn about tracing? It very seldom solves crimes, since the vast majority of guns used in crimes are stolen, or otherwise illegally procured, like most machine guns (all but 2 used in crimes to our knowledge.

If you really want this you have probably either watched too much TV or want to score political points and harass gun stores, distributors and/or manufacturers. See Fast and Furious for the most notorious example of this.


> And why do we give a damn about tracing?

Because you and others have been hostile toward me, claiming this device doesn't catalyze untraceable weapons.

Now you're moving the goalposts, claiming tracing doesn't actually matter.

You might interpret your own hostility as an attempt to extort confirmation in the face of invalidating evidence. You will feel much better when you admit you were wrong and go back and undo your down votes.

> It very seldom solves crimes

1. So, by your own admission, it does solve crimes, at least sometimes. So that's one reason to give a damn about the production of untraceable machine guns there. Mind you, I'm using your own words to prove my point.

2. It prevents crimes from happening. That's a second reason to give a damn about the production of untraceable machine guns.

So, where do you feel like moving the goalposts to next? Or do you want to just concede you acted to rashly and misspoke? It's a small point really and you'll feel much better if you just admit what your own words have demonstrated - this machine catalyzes the production of untraceable machine guns.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: