How very odd ...

Was reading this morning that, in South Carolina, a US candidate hosted a "machine gun social" - and the prize of the day was a semiautomatic AK-47. I could be completed wrong but isn't this classified as an 'assault rifle'?

I can see a hunting rifle being the prize, perhaps - but wonder if semi-automatics are used mostly for hunting? (and geesh, where would be the 'sportsmanship' in that, I wonder?!).

As I said, I could be wrong so do wonder what others think.

Full story: (Quote)

"Bullets and barbecue: US candidate raffles off AK-47, offers target practice at campaign rallyat 16:54 on September 27, 2009, EDT.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


GREENVILLE, S.C. - A candidate to be South Carolina's next National Guard leader skipped the fiery speeches for firepower, launching his campaign with what he called a "machine-gun social."


The Greenville News reports some 500 people came out to a shooting range Saturday for Republican Dean Allen's political rally. He wants to be the next adjutant general, the person who leads the state's National Guard.


Attendees paid $25 for barbecue, a clip of bullets for target practice and the chance to win a semiautomatic AK-47. Whoever wins the rifle will have to undergo a background check.
South Carolina is the only state that elects its adjutant general" (unquote)

 

The semi automatic still requires a trigger pull for each time it fires. Of course you can get a conversion kit to full automatic at any gun show. They are great for squirrels.

 

Oh no!! Poor little squirrel families everywhere will be waiting for their never-to-return loved ones to come home - huge sob!!!

One win of a rifle ... one conversion kit at any gun show and hmmm.

 

While on Holiday in the States this year, we had a long weekend with my wifes cousin in Alabama, the guy is a bit of a "Redkneck" and could'nt see why I found it strange when I heard a radio advert for a local car dealership offering a free AK47 with every pickup truck sold that weekend

 

It is a tad confusing when viewed by those that don't have any at all, isn't it? Did your wife's cousin mention what they are used for, I wonder?

For regular hunting, I always thought hunters used a 'rifle' for sportsmanship ... but if one doesn't hunt for the 'sport of it', rather for the necessity of food, perhaps these types of guns are better/faster?

Or maybe, if one lives in a pretty isolated area with lots of big, scary animals that can pop out of the woods when least expected, they are more accurate or faster? That could be a good reason, I guess.

 

Read more: Exterminate! Charles declares war on entire population of grey squirrels to save our native reds | Mail Online

Hmmm draw your own conclusions!!!

 

Of course here in the UK we have much tighter gun control laws, not that the criminals observe them much, but an AK47 is not exactly openly available here.
As to the grey squirrel or tree rat problem, they have been a pest for a long time doing untold damage to this countries woodlands as well as driving out our native reds.
So although I can see the animal lovers view as all squirrels look attractive, I am afraid Charles is right, they should go, and sooner rather than later, however humanely possible.

 

Great for squirrels - Barry, I know you are familiar with AK-47 rifles from back in the cold war, but the rate they fire at you are more likely to hit everything BUT the squirrel

I think Barry just wants one to say to everyone hey step on my lawn again, and I will bust a cap
Strichlan in Back to the Future 2 more like LOL

 

If I lived where there are big scary animals,I would want one of these,Mara.

 

sure that you don't want one of these

 

Cripes, if I saw that man and his massive gun stepping out of our woods, I'd consider him the 'big scary animal'

Suppose the gray squirrels really are about to go poof - gentle sigh - but after reading about the problem, truly do understand why it's necessary. Am very curious as to how weeding out the gray ones without harming the red ones could be done, though.