Channel 13 News Interview

Published on October 25, 2019
Duration: 10:22

Mel Bernstein, a Class 7 FFL dealer and owner of Dragon Arms, discusses the definition of 'assault rifle' and the legal landscape surrounding firearms. He argues that the term 'assault rifle' is often misapplied to semi-automatic firearms designed for civilian use, differentiating them from military-grade automatic weapons. Bernstein emphasizes the importance of the Second Amendment and criticizes restrictive gun laws, particularly magazine capacity limits, which he believes do not deter criminals but hinder law-abiding citizens' ability to defend themselves. He also touches on the manufacturing of his own AR-15 style rifles, the 'Dragon Fire AR-15', and the regulations for selling automatic weapons.

Quick Summary

Mel Bernstein, a Class 7 FFL dealer, defines 'assault rifles' as military-grade weapons, distinguishing them from semi-automatic firearms used for sport or self-defense. He criticizes restrictive gun laws, like magazine capacity limits, arguing they hinder law-abiding citizens without deterring criminals, and advocates for the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Dragon Arms
  2. 00:10Mel Bernstein's Background
  3. 00:23Freedom in Colorado vs. New York Gun Laws
  4. 01:00Defining 'Assault Rifle'
  5. 01:15Are These 'Assault Rifles'?
  6. 01:36The Hammer Analogy
  7. 01:51Military-Style vs. Hunting Rifles
  8. 02:12The 'Fun Gun' Concept
  9. 02:21Bullet Comparison: .308 Caliber
  10. 02:41Magazine Capacity Discussion
  11. 03:15Law-Abiding Citizen vs. Criminal
  12. 03:36Impact of New Gun Laws
  13. 04:27Las Vegas Shooting & Semi-Automatics
  14. 04:51Justification for Owning Semi-Automatics
  15. 05:07Colorado Magazine Law Critique
  16. 05:54Desire for Safer Society
  17. 06:09Response to Mass Shootings
  18. 06:23Arming Teachers in Schools
  19. 06:55Stopping an Active Shooter
  20. 07:15Second Amendment Justification
  21. 07:31Bump Stock Outlawed
  22. 07:46Response Time vs. Firearm
  23. 08:02Fighting Guns with Guns
  24. 08:22Manufacturing Dragon Fire AR-15
  25. 08:44AR-15s as 'Fun Guns'
  26. 09:06Legally Selling Semi-Automatic Weapons
  27. 09:12Automatic Weapons Regulations (Pre-1986)
  28. 09:22Class 3 & Class 7 Dealer Roles
  29. 09:30Magazine Capacity Restrictions Revisited
  30. 10:00Number of Firearms in Store/Museum
  31. 10:07Passion for Firearms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an 'assault rifle' and a semi-automatic rifle?

According to Mel Bernstein of Dragon Arms, an 'assault rifle' is typically a military-grade weapon designed for combat, like the M16. He contrasts this with semi-automatic firearms, often mislabeled as 'assault rifles,' which function similarly to hunting rifles and are used for sport or self-defense.

How do gun laws affect criminals versus law-abiding citizens?

Mel Bernstein argues that new gun laws primarily impact law-abiding citizens, making it harder for them to defend themselves. Criminals, he states, will always obtain firearms illegally, and these laws do not deter them from their activities.

What are the regulations for selling automatic weapons?

Automatic weapons sold legally to the public must have been manufactured before 1986. Class 3 and Class 7 FFL dealers can handle these types of firearms and related accessories, adhering to specific federal regulations.

Why does Mel Bernstein believe teachers should be armed?

Mel Bernstein suggests that arming teachers with small, lightweight firearms could provide immediate defense against active shooters in schools. He points out that law enforcement response times can be significant, and armed teachers could neutralize threats faster.

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