In the wake of the mass murder in Parkland, Florida last month, many gun control activists believe that totally banning assault weapons is the solution to this plague of gun violence. However, it is wise never to take progressive action to an extreme. Why not just install background checks on ALL weapons instead of punishing hundreds of millions of Americans for the actions of a few very, VERY bad people? The fifth amendment stipulates that certain rights can be rescinded with due process of law. Therefore, why come into conflict with the second amendment by banning types of non-automatic guns when we can work with it by implementing background checks on all firearms? This way, due process of law can control the exercise of the second amendment. Furthermore, here are some of the political and social ramifications to string gun banning legislation. We must do something about this national carnage, but it must be the right thing. It must be noted that my opinion only stands for firearms that cannot be used as weapons of mass destruction (machine guns, RPG's, and, to be frank, bump stocks)
With the U.S. making up only 5% of the world population, yet owning almost 1/2 of all civilian-owned guns in the world, I agree with you in that I don't think a complete ban would be productive or feasible. I also concur that there needs to be a greater degree of gun control (e.g. not being able to buy from gun shows w/o a background check).
I think Japan is doing an exemplar job with their system of heavy gun regulation to emphasize the potential for destruction of these weapons.
On a side note, I am curious: why do people feel the need to buy machine guns? I'm not as familiar with guns, but I don't believe you need that type of firepower for hunting or protection against intruders...
Honestly, I haven't a clue. But just not needing something doesn't justify a total ban in my opinion. The Constitution is quite vaque on what qualifies as "arms" and that is why I'm more in favour of control as opposed to elimination as it complies with the non-specific nature of the 2nd amendment.