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 »
REMEMBER: The Constitution DOES NOT control the American People…it CONTROLS and sets limits of what the governments can and cannot do. There is NO Constitutional authority for any city, state or federal government to control, in any way, American’s access and use of firearms. Just because a democrat ‘judge’ or an anti-American SCOTUS ‘justice’ says the Second Amendment has no power or says ‘infringe’ does not mean what it says, that DOES NOT mean ANYTHING. YOU KNOW it is a RIGHT. YOU KNOW what the Founding Fathers said about Americans owning firearms. STAND & FIGHT for your Rights or lose… Read more »
There you go another legislator trying to control someone else’s life without merit just so they can say they did.
Called JOB security, I filed A BILL!.
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!
It has been 47 years since I last used a “clacker.”
Roy D, yes Sir, I do know what you mean. Yes they deserve a little warming up because they are cold to the nation, the people and the constitution. Remember to make sure you are pointed in the correct direction!!!
Arm up, carry on.
Front Toward Enemy. I always thought that was funny!
I always thought “heaven or hell?” Would be better! On the rear you can put “stay back a hair!”
Good job Will. When enough people stand and make a stand against a immoral, illegal bunch of gustapo thugs run by the government known as the batfe, When the courts start to send to jail for all the evil they do, we MIGHT be on the road to trust. Trust and respect are things that must be earned and re earned after something like murdering innocent civilians. The atfe is worse than bin ladin and his ilk. Governmental terrorism against the very oath they sworn to uphold, the people and constitution they are sworn to protect… that is the atfe.… Read more »
@WR, Time spent getting on the roof should be used to develop an alibi … in your lawyer’s office.
@WB – Lawyers will be the first to get yeeted in the boog, so I don’t know what the F you’re talking about.
@WF, I merely observe that if any LEO agency came to my house, as portrayed in the photo, I would not spend any time climbing onto my neighbors roof, as portrayed in the photo. I would spend that time establishing an alibi, at my lawyers office, while the barbecue, as portrayed in the writing, went off.
Being in one’s lawyer’s office is a really good alibi when any bad thing happens that might be attributed to one’s self.
@WB – It’s called a meme, it’s not supposed to be a literal depiction, it’s humor. I suggest you stop being so uptight and grow a funny bone. Not everything here is supposed to be 100% serious as a heart attack 100% of the time. Sheesh. I’m dumber for having just had to explain that to you!!
@WF, You write, “Sheesh. I’m dumber for having just had to explain that to you!!” And you say I should grow a funny bone!?
Again, you’re deaf to memes, WB. Just quit now, you’re digging yourself into a hole you can’t get out of.
🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0ttRLrADE
Will, I LOVE your wacky sense of humour!!!! My neighbour has a flamethrower, it is tethered to a five gallon barbie propane bottle, which makes it not real portable, but he can fire a field of weeds pretty quickly. I imagine switching to a two gallon propane bottle with a backpach harness would make it pretty portable. It has a nasty hot stinger on it, can throw that fire quite a ways. Imagine the gummit dweebs coming round to arrest him for having the tool to control weeds on his farm… imagine thet “device” being deployed to, say, fire up… Read more »
Pro tip: MRAPs have practically no armor on top, engines are as vulnerable to gelled fuel as tires, and these toasters cannot go off-road without getting stuck.
@WF, What a meme! Now that is funny!
Hey dummy there’s no meme here.
Are going full Harold on us??
WF, Time and again, you have proved yourself a grouchy, unprepossessing, insulter. You get around to grousing and disparaging everyone. Your aspersions are empty.
If I’m grouchy it’s because of people like you being a tard, and I really could care less what you think of me. Your words are what’s empty.
WR, bla, bla, bla, insult, insult, insult. You are difficult and unprepossessing because of some deficiency within you that you have not come to terms with.
@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 »
If they are at that point all laws are out the window.your medicine doesnt matter if you die in custody doesnt matter.all the film on the planet doesnt matter! You at their mercy and if your not sent to gullag 2.0 you will likely be killed and disposed of. When they come for you see them coming and respond with maximum hyperviolence until you are dead or escaped.better that way.
@V12Guy, They are not at that point. And under the current law enforcement procedures, like I wrote, You, “become the sickest, most frail prisoner that the United States has ever seen…”
If you think that the current law enforcement situation in the U.S. has changed, well then … you do whatever you think is best.
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 »
Az. Don; Well said Sir.
Arm up, carry on.
Thank you!
Yes, but they must be able to CONTROL the People, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.I am always amazed at their sheer stupidity,if they think for ONE minute American patriots are going just sit back and allow that happen,they are crazier than I thought possible.
The NET is a BAD thing, and a GREAT thing, just look at how many MORE young folks have been brought back for the brink into reality, and now are 2A supporters and weapons owners.
Millions.
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!.
Could someone post a picture of Eliot Engel. I wanted to show my grandchildren what an idiot looks like in real life.
Unclejack, Ask and Ye shall receive from Wiki.
Hey, it’s on you if you look.
Will, I feel kinda bad about that. seems like child abuse.
Retro 70s porno moustache in the house
More nonsense from Harold. Too stupid, didn’t read, Harold. Why don’t you go on vacation, Harold. A long one. I hear Wuhan China is nice this time of year. Don’t think about it. Just go.