The 2009 AWB, planning ahead?

[Scubastevie00]

I'm actually researching my first AR after realizing the fact.. I should be buying it in the next couple months on my CC... Whats a bit more of debt...

[Beren]

A couple of thoughts:

1. If Obama/Biden win, the Democrats will be energized and will make a priority of pushing through a new AWB in 2009. This time there will be no sunset provision, and the bill will probably be slightly more restrictive than the first ban. In a worst case situation, they'll model it after current California laws. I don't expect confiscation of currently owned firearms.

If McCain/Palin win, Democrats will still make an effort to push a new AWB, if only to force McCain to veto it. If he does, they can try to use that against Republicans. If he doesn't, he loses the gun vote in 2012. Win-win for the Dems, but we're probably secure until 2012. Whether we're secure after that depends on whether people come to accept Palin as a Presidential contender.

If you're sitting there telling yourself "won't happen, can't happen", you are a fool.

2. If you're purchasing stripped lower receivers, keep in mind that the new ban is likely to be worded similarly to the old ban. That means your stripped lower will not be grandfathered unless you show it was assembled into a "banned" configuration prior to the enactment date of the new ban! Just having ten stripped lowers won't make you "safe." If they weren't assembled prior to the ban date, all you'll have are ten lowers that can only be assembled into post-ban configurations.

How exactly you can go about showing they were assembled will depend on how the new ban is written. It might be as simple as temporarily assembling it, getting it documented and notarized, then moving the parts to the next lower and repeating. It all depends on the wording of the new ban.

3. Avoid the impulse to panic buy. All this will do is drive up prices for everyone faster than would otherwise happen. Instead, make an inventory of what you currently own. Make a list of what you'd like to own prior to a new ban, using May 2009 as your "deadline." Then, space out your purchases over that time frame, starting today. If you see someone at a gun show marking up their prices and claiming "AWB II is coming, buy now OMG!", boycott them and let them know why. Vendors who encourage panic buying are doing all of us a disservice to line their own pockets. Purchase elsewhere or online!

[Cyo]

I think the first thing to go would be the .50s. It would be easier to sell to the general public by just showing the .50 BMG round and a Barrett next to grandpa's old .30-30. Much easier to chip away at rights than to attack them head on.

[Mtbkski]

Originally Posted by NWPA shooter

Why the tin hats ?

In a way I wonder if I'm not getting paranoid in my old age. Or... am I just opening my eyes a bit wider and accepting the fact that some pretty bad sh*t could be right around the corner for all of us.

There is a good point to wearing the Tin Foil Hat. Since I am "paranoid" I can buy all the ammo and magazines, and guns I want, and justify it in my brain and not feel guilty about it. I just remind myself that it is for when the Zombies come. That way I don't feel guilty about buying it all up.

[TonyF]

It's been four years since the AWB sunset.

I got mine.

[edstephan]

Hello All,
I have taken all my lowers and assembled them one at a time with a single parts kit and put my pre-ban uppers on them and photographed them with a time stamp. Each config is slightly different and can be picked out clearly in the photos. I archived the photos on a thumb drive in the safe.
This way I'm covered.
Ed

[MEH]

"Private Sales" are the way to go, just in case.

Lots of ammo, hi-cap magazines, etc...

[JayBell]

for me, there is no such thing as "planning ahead" for AWB eventualities....i "plan along"....I buy things I want/like as i go...I'm stocked on mags, parts, and EBRs

[MEH]

BTW does anyone know why private sales of handguns have to go through an FFL in PA? How long has that been the law?

[Mtbkski]

Originally Posted by JayBell

I'm stocked on mags, parts, and EBRs

OK, I give up. What are EBR's. I know it is going to be something really simple. But I'm totally at a lost trying to figure it out.