REINSTATE THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN!

[Straw Man]

107. Do tell.

It had nothing to do with the economy or who's President or the state of the mental health system or social media copycats, or any of that, right? You just know that there's a direct causal link because ... Why was that, again? You haven't really explained. And not everyone seems to be as convinced as you are, even in middle-of-road media outlets:

https://www.factcheck.org/2013/02/did-the-1994-assault-weapons-ban-work/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/12/17/everything-you-need-to-know-about-banning-assault-weapons-in-one-post/

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-winkler-folly-of-assault-weapon-ban-20151211-story.html

Arguably, the AWB boosted the AR-15's popularity far beyond what it had been before (forbidden fruit, doncha know), just as a spike in AR sales occurs every time there's talk of a new ban. More of them are in circulation than ever before, due in part to fear of bans. Manufacturers of AR-15s are very grateful to people like you -- you are their best salespeople.

Columbine happened during the ban, so clearly there are other weapons that will suffice for those of a homicidal bent. Derrick Byrd in the UK killed 12 people with a double-barreled shotgun and a bolt-action .22 rifle, all of which are completely legal there. Anders Breivik in Norway killed 69 people with a Ruger Mini-14 rifle and Glock 34 pistol, neither of which has ever been classified anywhere as an "assault weapon." What makes you think that someone with the urge to kill won't pick another weapon of opportunity?

Correlation does not equal you-know-what.