The founding fathers knew nothing of semi-automatic weapons. I believe that the best soldiers of the day might have gotten off 5 or 6 shots a minute.
3 rounds a minute with a muzzle loading rifle, 4 with a smooth bore musket.
but when repeating arms were invented the US military and the people all jumped on board.
when machine guns were invented no only were they legal for sale to anyone, but in 1920 or so my grandpappy got a derringer as a prize in a tin of tobacco. shocking!
what caused the rampant crime wave and dissolution of civil society that requires drastic measures to eliminate firearms "for our own good"? nothing. its a figment, a creation of hysterical 24/7 media and wall to wall coverage of every shootout.
when i was a lad you could go toe to toe with another cat in a punchup, now thats a criminal assault for BOTH participants. pen knives are now considered deadly weapons, and shouting at your old lady is "domestic violence".
we have become a nation of whiners, sissies and fools who mutter "Be Safe" as a mantra on parting.
FUCK SAFETY!
"Be Safe" is the most retarded thing you can wish on a fella. if youre "Being Safe" you arent risking anything, and without risk, theres no victory.
stop worrying about "Safety" and start thinking about "Personal Responsibility" for a change.