Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Lehigh Valley Live:

    https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bet...l-for-ban.html

    Bethlehem

    Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting ‘almost predictable.’ He and colleague call for ban

    Posted Jun 21, 12:48 PM


    By Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com



    Two of Allentown’s state representatives were not surprised to learn AR-15s were used in the mass shooting that wounded 10 people, but it’s strengthened their resolve that the “weapon of war” needs to be banned.

    Just before 2 a.m. Thursday, a masked trio of men carrying AR-15s sprayed bullets into a crowd outside of Deja Vu Nightclub, 343 W. Hamilton St., wounding 10 people.

    Angelo Luis Rivera, 20, of the 600 block of North Fourth Street, stands accused of driving the three armed men to the nightclub in what police are describing as “gang-related violence.” The shooters have not been arrested.
    Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg (both D-Lehigh) issued a statement Friday morning reiterating their support for an assault weapons ban in Pennsylvania.

    “It was almost predictable that one of the firearms used in the Deja Vu shooting was an AR-15,” Schweyer said. “I say predictable because just last year, there was a homicide -- across the street from my home -- where a woman was murdered by her partner with an AR-15. This weapon has become the go-to choice to for murderers across the nation.”

    The lawmakers are cosponsors of a bill Rep. Ed. Gainey (D-Allegheny) has introduced that effectively bans the possession, purchase, transfer, use or manufacture of an assault weapon in the state, making exceptions for members of the military and law enforcement in an official capacity. The proposal would grandfather in existing assault weapon owners.

    “This completely unregulated tool of mass violence isn’t used by law-abiding gun owners for hunting,” Schweyer said. “In far too many cases this is an all-too-accessible weapon of war that has no place on the streets of our community.”

    The National Rifle Association, which opposes assault weapons bans, says that AR-15s are the most commonly used rifles in marksmanship competitions, training and home defense, according to its website. It is so popular it should actually be called America’s Rifle, the association says.
    Americans owned more than 16 million AR-15s in 2018 and buy hundreds of new ones annually, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. AR-15-style weapons are semiautomatic meaning the shooter must pull the trigger to fire each shot from the magazine, which can hold many rounds. They can be modified with bump stocks -- seen in the Las Vegas shooting -- that effectively make them function like an automatic weapon.

    “We have repeatedly seen mass shootings where AR-15 semi-automatic rifles are used: Newtown, San Bernardino, Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, and now Allentown,” Schlossberg said. “No community is safe from the effects of deadly assault weapons.”

    The NRA argues on its website that gun-control supporters are wrong to claim “assault weapons” are used in most mass shootings. Calling it a false narrative, the NRA contends mass shootings have been committed with all types of firearms.

    “The terrorist attacks in France and Belgium show that gun bans -- including those on semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines -- don’t prevent crime. In both countries, the ownership of firearms, including semi-automatics, is severely restricted,” the NRA states on its website.
    Schweyer has also introduced a bill banning the sale of assault weapons to individuals under the age of 21, with an exception for members of the armed services. Schlossberg is also a cosponsor of this measure. In Pennsylvania, you can purchase a long gun, like a rifle, at age 18 but cannot buy a handgun until 21.

    “One of those arrested in connection to the Deja Vu shooting was a 20-year-old,” noted Schweyer. “It is completely legal for him to purchase an AR-15 with no background check and no record of sale. He can legally own and operate this weapon before he can legally consume a beer. This is not only absurd, it’s deadly.”

    Both Allentown representatives are members of the PA SAFE Caucus, a group of legislators who wish to reduce all types of violence through adequate funding for mental health services, stronger tools for law enforcement, resources to curb the effects of addiction and illegal drugs and solutions that reduce gun violence and promote public safety.

    There are many contributing factors to gun violence, Schlossberg said, and the two legislators are constantly fighting for more resources to improve mental health services. He noted they recently announced a $500,000 state grant to the Lehigh Valley Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center.
    “These efforts will never be effective if we continue to allow assault weapons to flood into our communities,” Schlossberg said.

    Both of the house bills have been referred to the judiciary committee and no actions have been taken to consider the proposals.

    “Good legislation to ban these types of weapons has been introduced in the House of Representatives, but the absolute power of the gun lobby in Harrisburg has buried this legislation so deeply and created a climate of fear of political retribution that we can’t even get a hearing to have anything considered,” Schlossberg said.

    Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    A few things here.

    1. So gang violence and activity will stop once AR-15's are banned?
    2. This attempted hit wouldn't have happened if the AR15 didn't exist?
    3. If the gang members who did this had hand gun's it would have been somehow better?
    4. The fact that no one died is further proof the AR is a weapon of mass destruction?
    5. We are to believe the shooters purchased these legally without background checks without any evidence of that?
    6. Ohh I see this is about your shitty bills that haven't gone anywhere in months.

    7. So in 1992 when gang members were using AK's to spray down crowds in South Central LA and everywhere else that was better because it wasn't an AR15?

    Last edited by Hodgie; June 22nd, 2019 at 10:15 AM.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Quote Originally Posted by Hodgie View Post
    A few things here.

    1. So gang violence and activity will stop once AR-15's are banned?
    2. This attempted hit wouldn't have happened if the AR15 didn't exist?
    3. If the gang members who did this had hand gun's it would have been somehow better?
    4. The fact that no one died is further proof the AR is a weapon of mass destruction?
    5. We are to believe the shooters purchased these legally without background checks without any evidence of that?
    6. Ohh I see this is about your shitty bills that haven't gone anywhere in months.

    7. So in 1992 when gang members were using AK's to spray down crowds in South Central LA and everywhere else that was better because it wasn't an AR15?

    You should send this to them...

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    It won't matter.The AR has been marked for death and it's just a matter of time before the dims get their way in that town.
    There are no pacts between lions and men.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Quote Originally Posted by Krichardson View Post
    It won't matter.The AR has been marked for death and it's just a matter of time before the dims get their way in that town.
    Stack em deep.

    Might be time to buy another lower or 3.
    Combat arms was just doing a $99 upper deal too..

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Just addressing the fallacy of the statement.

    AR 15 being used is predictable..... ban them.
    Ban occurs.

    10 years later

    Semiautomatic like the glock used at Virginia tech are predictable, ban them
    Ban occurs

    10 years later

    Revolvers being used are predictable...... ban them
    Ban occurs

    10 years later
    Cars being used in attacks are predictable..... ban them
    Ban occurs

    10 years later

    Molotov cocktails being used in attacks are predictable... ban gasoline
    Ban occurs

    10 years later

    Knives being used are predictable....... ban them
    Ban occurs

    10 years later

    Baseball bats being used in attacks are predictable...... ban them
    Ban occurs

    And so on and so on

    the commonality is that all of the above are objects, people with bad intent are the problem. People will find a way to harm others if they want. What bans really do is hurt citizens who currently have a valid means to protect themselves from doing harm. Whether it is a person/group attacking them at home, while they are in a store, or while they on the streets. Firearms are the equalizer for people who choose to use them. Banning guns aids criminals and hurts people who want to defend themselves.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Quote Originally Posted by Krichardson View Post
    It won't matter.The AR has been marked for death and it's just a matter of time before the dims get their way in that town.
    There is still such a thing as state law. Pittsburg is finding out how toothless making laws that go against state law really are.

    Nationally as long as gun owners don’t become their own worse enemy and purposely allow avowed anti gunners into White House and we keep putting justices onto the Supreme Court who respect the Constitution....... the AR and the 2nd will live on.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    The logic says plenty of people need bats, while no one needs an AR15. So, bats will never be banned. Same for cars. Same for cans of gasoline, and so-on.
    There are two kinds of guns. Those I have acquired, and those I hope to.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    We need to re-enforce the fact that these same gangs that bring in drugs will also bring in guns. If there were no guns in the country they would likely get theirs from corrupt governments and/or military in third world places (or maybe Mexico) and we would see the appearance of full auto real assault weapons on our streets.
    As for me? I want to be able to shoot back!

    I am actually surprised this has not happened more already. The biker gangs in Australia are doing just that now. So much for gun free zones...
    Illegitimus non carborundum est

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Allentown lawmaker says AR-15 use in city’s mass shooting...

    Quote Originally Posted by icp4life162005 View Post
    Stack em deep.
    Yes sir!

    Quote Originally Posted by internet troll View Post
    Just addressing the fallacy of the statement..
    What's really predictable is that some hack politician was going to rear their head and call for the banning of the AR as if that magically put a stop to thugs shooting up neighborhoods.
    Quote Originally Posted by internet troll View Post
    There is still such a thing as state law. Pittsburg is finding out how toothless making laws that go against state law really are.

    Nationally as long as gun owners don’t become their own worse enemy and purposely allow avowed anti gunners into White House and we keep putting justices onto the Supreme Court who respect the Constitution....... the AR and the 2nd will live on.
    I must have missed something,what has happened in Pittsburgh to oppose what peduto has done?
    There are no pacts between lions and men.

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