@Max Headroom
Yes, but the argument has to follow establishing facts. Thanks for criticisms above all of you.
MSSA definition applied to autoloaders which have any of either:
folding stocks - cosmetic, already addressed by legislation defining as a pistol any rifle or shotgun <762mm length.
free standing handle - cosmetic, just the style gone for after manufacturers ditched full length wooden stocks.
mags >7 capacity - some reduction in rate of fire from this, but not a significant reduction. Most mass killings theoretically repeatable with bolt action firearm.
bayonet lug. Cosmetic, addresses no known problem, bayonettings not a known NZ problem.
flash hider - cosmetic (same achievable, arguably better, by small suppressor, muzzle brake or choice of powder)
@mikee and @Shelley have a point - it is about cosmetics, the look of the gun.
The MSSA legislation in essence imposes a cosmetic standard which has little real bearing on how destructive a gun can be. In essence, black guns are a threat to the public but pink guns are not a threat. Well, there is an element of truth to it as pink guns DO look less threatening.. but it is simply a legislation aimed at gun nuts who love war and its paraphernalia - such being the perception of potential mass shooters.
Faster rate of fire - to a point relevant to mass shootings. But with fast firing rate comes lower accuracy, so hence referring to AIMED fire. NO type of cartridge firearm has a slow rate of fire. Muzzle loaders are slow. And the practical gap between bolt actions and autoloaders is in practical terms ... insignificant. They are both fast.
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