NOTICE

146 R.J. GODLEWSKI/INERT
their magazines more frequently – probably not
much time for anyone to escape their rampage.
As far as the bayonet mounts are
concerned. Would any self-respecting criminal
mount a bayonet upon his gun when it would be
far easier (and more efficient) to use a ‘legal’ knife
and just stab the victim directly? Any assault
weapons ban is therefore pure political pandering
and does not do a damn thing to prevent criminals
from undertaking crimes. On the other hand, lawabiding
citizens owning assault weapons can
detour crime.
The other feature that makes assault
weapons unique is their durability. Almost all have
a graphite composite stock that can withstand
climate and abuse. Guess what? Hunting rifles are
now being offered with the same stock so assault
weapons merely led the technological charge into
the 21 st century. Chances are, your flashlight is
more powerful, more durable, stronger, and, yes,
more deadly if used as a club, than your
grandfather’s was. Should guns be denied similar
technological evolution?
The 1994 North Hollywood, California
shootout between ill-equipped police and AK-47
toting bank robbers proved that being underresourced
is tantamount to death and destruction.
We may seek civility but our adversaries will deny
us that privilege. Only when we defeat those that
wish to harm us can we understand the concept.
Again, remember – remember always – peace is
the absence of hostilities, not the lack of combat.
When the handgun (and to some extent the
SMG) is of no use, the most practical solution for