(setq LaTeX-insert-into-comments nil)
seems to solve the problem, although it may have other effects that I'm not aware of. To use it, put it in your .emacs customization file; to test it, try M-:
then paste the above code into the prompt.
The variable LaTeX-insert-into-comments
is defined as
*Whether insertion commands stay in comments.
This allows using the insertion commands even when
the lines are outcommented, like in dtx files.
EDIT:
Here is something better:
(defadvice LaTeX-insert-item (around my-LaTeX-insert-item activate)
(let ((LaTeX-insert-into-comments nil)) ad-do-it))
This will prevent unwanted effects from setting the LaTeX-insert-into-comments
globally to nil
by changing it only temporarily when you insert an item. Again, to use it, put it in your .emacs customization file.