Opinion
United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- Sometimes, anti-Second Amendment legislation can be beyond pointless and almost to the point of satire. One such bill is HR 2671, titled the Flamethrowers? Really? Act, introduced by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY).
Now, one reason this bill is flying under the radar is that flamethrowers just haven’t been misused in crimes, nor have they been in the news. In addition, Engel is not exactly known for pushing gun control, although he has a terrible voting record.
So, what is up with this legislation? According to the text, it regulates flamethrowers like machine guns. The real answer is that it is a very diabolical trap for Second Amendment supporters. A trap that mirrors the ones that have been used in the past 35 years, sometimes to significant effect in convincing our fellow Americans to back the unjust infringements of liberty that the likes of Michael Bloomberg want to inflict on us.
To understand the nature of this trap, we need to go back to the 1980s. Back then, anti-Second Amendment extremists were making a lot of noise about “cop-killer bullets” and “plastic guns” in order to gain traction after California rejected a handgun ban in a 1982 referendum. Handgun Control, Inc. drafted some very poorly-written legislation that ended up being far more sweeping than they let on.
Naturally, Second Amendment supporters opposed those laws, but HCI used that opposition as the basis for propaganda using police chiefs. Eventually, legislation was passed that minimized the damage. Still, the groundwork had been laid for the push to ban modern multi-purpose semiautomatics using fear and propaganda, especially by separating the robust Second Amendment supporters (like NRA and GOA members) from the larger gun-owning community.
Flamethrowers are another round in this strategy – or at least, it seems like Representative Engel is going to try to use that strategy. Oddly, he has not issued a press release touting this legislation, although he has introduced it in past Congresses. It was discussed on MSNBC in 2016. But this legislation is still out there, and this discussion is worth having.
Most AmmoLand News readers probably don’t have a burning desire to own a flamethrower. At the same time, AmmoLand readers also have no problems with law-abiding citizens having the right to own one. Like the consumer-ready XM42 Handheld Flamethrower – and only two states (Maryland and California) regulate them. This is understandable.
Again, when was the last time you heard of a flamethrower being used in a crime? You haven’t. Why? Because flamethrowers are even bulkier than modern multi-purpose semiautomatic long guns. Also, they can be quite hazardous for the user, especially against armed opposition.
So, Second Amendment supporters should be calling their Representatives and Senators and politely urging them to oppose this needless legislation. That is a given. But there is a much more important task – one that can turn the tables on anti-Second Amendment extremists.
They need to talk to their fellow Americans, using this legislation as an example of how anti-Second Amendment extremists are approaching the issue in bad faith. Once fellow Americans are aware of how they are being manipulated, it will be easier to persuade them to oppose efforts to strip us of our rights.
About Harold Hutchison
Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics, and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Anyone who breaks this law is criminal and likely treasonous. So simple a child can understand it, the 2A is the bane of any government or government entity trying to enslave it’s citizens. The constitution, the bill of rights, the amendments and even the declaration are based on the rights given to all mankind from the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. The right to keep and bear arms, the right of self defense, the right of life, liberty and pursuit of happyness are rights and freedom that are… Read more »
This will not pass the President’s desk, nor will it pass constitutional muster. SCOTUS already ruled UNANIMOUSLY that “ALL BEARABLE ARMS” are covered under 2A. https://www.ammoland.com/2016/03/supreme-court-confirms-second-amendment-applies-bearable-arms-common-use/
This Demorat is just telegraphing his fear that such arms may be used against tyrants like HIM for passing modern-day ‘Intolerable Acts’. A fear that is both appropriate and justified, for “EVERY terrible implement of war” is the BIRTHRIGHT of ALL Americans to have and use!
All ‘gun control laws’ are un-Constitutional: Article 6 states “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof…shall be the supreme law of the land”. Therefore, any federal or state legislative law, Executive Order or local decree not in 100% harmony with the U.S. Constitution, is null & void. When Americans obey the un-Constitutional ‘gun control laws’, they tell the tyrant they will accept any oppression and will accept those oppressions gladly. When Americans kneel and lick the hand of the tyrant (when they obey un-Constitutional’gun control laws’), they tell the tyrant they… Read more »
There you go another legislator trying to control someone else’s life without merit just so they can say they did.
The expanded metal grating front porch that an entry team would be standing on to breach my front door, is actually a barbecue grill for roasting piggies. I would merely have to turn on the propane and hit my clacker…
I’d love to see the BATFEces try to ban BBQ grills and propane in ‘MURICA!
@Yackup, is that the limit of your vision? First, they are not coming to your house. They will surround you when their surveillance shows that you are most vulnerable, like the church parting lot, the grocery store parking lot, or the donut shop. Mean while a different team will serve a search warrant at your house. So don’t hide anything in your house. Second, if you don’t let them arrest you, they you can not sue them for false arrest, undue force, failure to protect your health while in their custody, or 18USC1983. (Note: If ever arrested, become the sickest,… Read more »
Flame throwers are nice, but give me a Howitzer any day. “Go ahead punk. Make my day.”
The pleas being used today in order to try to convince Americans to pass laws requiring giving up the guns here is the same argument used successfully to do just that in the twentieth century (the bloodiest century in mankind’s history) throughout Europe and Asia. Truer words were never spoken then those stating “those who do not know history are bound to repeat it.” That is very true when it comes to communism, fascism and marxism. We, as a nation, can or perhaps I should say “could” learn much from the history of that century if it were still taught… Read more »
Guessing Rep Engel just finished watching a WWII Pacific Theatre war movie showing American GIs using flame throwers against Japs. And, he began to think…..UH those could be used against traitorous Socialist Liborats. Uh, dats me!!!! Better outlaw ’em for your, uh my, safety.
Someone must have immolated a bunch of chickens!.