GUNBAN.CBS 09/10/04 6:49 AM-DLR   1:25
Assault weapons liberated!  This is Dave Ross on the CBS Radio Network.
Come Monday, the ten-year ban on certain types of guns dubbed "assault weapons" ends.  That means for the first time in ten years you can legally buy semi-automatic weapons with a folding stock to make them easier to carry, weapons equipped with a flash suppressor so that no one can see where you're shooting from at night, and ammo magazines that hold more than ten rounds.
Beretta is even offering coupons for two free 15-round magazines.
How do the police feel about it?  Officially, police chiefs favor the ban and the Fraternal Order of Police does too.
But the American Federation of Police opposes the ban, and gun rights groups claim that if you went above the heads of the police chiefs you'd find that most rank and file cops oppose it as well.  Even though polls show 68% of the public support the ban.
It's confused even the normally-decisive President of the United States, who said he was in favor of ban, and would sign an extension if it reached his desk, but then did nothing to insure that it WOULD reach his desk.
And the confusion is bi-partisan.  Democrats didn't push for it either - recalling that it was their support of the original ban in 1994 that energized the NRA to target Democrats, and put the House in Republican hands, where it has stayed ever since.
So assault weapons go back on sale Monday, and we'll see who's right - those who believe the availability of weapons with a flash suppressor and a 15 round magazine will enhance personal safety, to those who don't.
Although, if powerful weapons were the key to achieve personal safety, why aren't more of us vacationing in Baghdad?
Now this.
~C:\works\files\GUNBAN.CBS