Topic: Automatic Weapons

President Biden has renewed his call for a federal ban on "assault weapons" and semi-automatic handguns following recent shootings in Colorado and Virginia. Biden described the continued legality of semi-automatic weapons as "sick" and lacking social value. Critics point out the president's apparent confusion between semi-automatic and fully automatic firearms during his public addresses.

Owning a fully automatic weapon in the United States is legal but heavily restricted under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The process requires a Class 3 permit and a national tax stamp, often costing $10,000 or more, which creates significant friction for legal ownership. Most modern rifles sold to civilians, such as the AK-47 variants, are semi-automatic rather than true machine guns.

Al Sharpton is criticized for claiming on MSNBC that civilians can legally acquire "automatic military-style weapons." The hosts point out that automatic weapons have been heavily restricted since 1934 and are not used in these shootings. They argue that Sharpton and other pundits are intentionally spreading misinformation to inflame the gun control debate.

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee was criticized for claiming that "automatic weapons like AK-47s" are widely available and used in community violence. Critics pointed out that automatic weapons have been strictly regulated for decades and that the firearms she referenced are typically semi-automatic.

Senator Rand Paul appeared on "The View" to discuss gun regulations, where he faced questioning from Whoopi Goldberg regarding automatic weapons. Paul attempted to clarify the difference between automatic and semi-automatic firearms, noting that truly automatic weapons have been restricted since 1934. The hosts criticize Goldberg for failing to grasp Paul's philosophical point about the danger of executive overreach and the importance of the legislative process.

A top Walmart official announces the retailer will stop selling military-style semi-automatic weapons to focus on hunters and sporting clay shooters. The hosts briefly compare the current Parker family to Robby Parker from the Sandy Hook investigation, noting similarities in their public appearances.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is criticized for her emotional rhetoric regarding the Sandy Hook families and her technical inaccuracies regarding firearms. She incorrectly referred to the weapons used in various tragedies as "automatic weapons." The hosts argue that such misidentifications demonstrate a lack of understanding of the hardware being regulated.

Media coverage of gun control focuses on politicians like Michael Bloomberg while criticizing past inaction by Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. A sports writer on CNN suggests that Piers Morgan should challenge Alex Jones to a boxing match involving semi-automatic weapons. The hosts highlight the hypocrisy of media figures who advocate for peace while using violent metaphors.

Police in Maryland arrested Neil Edwin Prescott after he allegedly identified himself as "a joker" and threatened his employer during a termination phone call. Authorities seized 25 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition from his home, which the hosts argue is a violation of constitutional rights based on hearsay. They critique media reports that incorrectly labeled semi-automatic rifles as "automatic weapons" to increase public fear.