U.S. National - Reuters Schwarzenegger Bans Rifle in Support of Gun Control

yahoo ^ | Tue Sep 14 | Reuters

[glasseye]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Breaking with Republican lawmakers who oppose gun control and a Hollywood film career filled with gun play, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) has signed a bill banning .50-caliber BMG rifles, an aide said on Tuesday.

Reuters Photo

The large-caliber, high-powered rifle is used by the military and police to shoot at long-range targets, including ones more than a mile away.

Civilian owners of the weapon typically use the rifle at firing-ranges and for big-game hunting, but with armor-piercing ammunition the rifle can penetrate concrete shelters and lightly armored vehicles.

Critics of the rifle argue there is no reasonable civilian use for the weapon. They say it could be used by terrorists to shoot at oil refineries and airplanes, or by snipers against people. Gun rights advocates maintain the weapon has not been used in a crime in California.

Despite his gun-toting film career, Schwarzenegger is in favor of some gun controls, including the 10-year federal ban that expired on Monday on certain semiautomatic firearms known as "assault weapons," said his spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh.

"He's committed to keeping the public and law enforcement as safe as possible," said Carbaugh. "This lines up with his philosophy that reasonable gun control measures are necessary to accomplish that objective."

[glasseye]

rats.....

[atomicweeder]

Thanks goodness that he's banned that gun. Now a terrorist who wants to shoot a hole in a tanker truck and blow it up in traffic and murder dozens of people won't be able to do it, because he knows that owning that gun would be . . . against the law!

[Abcdefg]

Yeah, and a gallon of gasoline can burn down a house....

[blackdog]

50 caliber sniper guns which shoot targets a mile away give new meaning to no-knock warrants. Police have no business getting anywhere near this weapon.

[1stFreedom]

Glad I don't reside in CommieForinia...

[glasseye]

I'm going to go buy one tomorrow.

No more voting for Arnold.

[newzjunkey]

Sorry but we don't need to make it any easier to get this weapon in CA for inner city gangs, criminal illegals, terrorists and terrorist's sympathizers.

Make them have to import this weapon which can only best serve sniper purposes and best regulated for police and military use or special-use permit. These shouldn't be available at Wal-Mart of the local Big 5 sporting goods.

It's not particularly useful for personal protection unless you think we all need to be able to take out droves of invaders or what-have-yous from thousands of feet away.

Look how long it was to catch that freeway sniper in the mid-west. Or those idiots out of D.C.? And they didn't even have this kind of range and firepower from which to perpetuate their inhuman evil.

[blackdog]

My military 30-06 fitted with a scope and a tripod can hit just about anything you can see on a clear day. Don't need no stinkin 50 caliber. It is strictly an offensive weapon, as is any rifle.

[opinionator]

Coming soon...The .51-caliber BMG rifle!

[M1thumb]

Well then my .338 Lapua Magnum is the next most "deadly" gun out there. Ban it next, then the 300 winmag, then 30'06 then the .223...

It's only about a never ending march to ban them all. You will see.

[newzjunkey]

If that type of rifle could be part of a militia's weaponry

"Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Looks like it's a STATE'S right to regulate, doesn't it? I'm not seeing any regulated militias, are you? Well... there's the National Guard. And you can select numerous weapons, even in CA, for use of hunting (not mentioned in the 2nd Amendment) and personal protection. If you take to the "gun nut's" extreme each person should have a personal armory that would make any Marine battalion envious "just in case."

[carolynnjulie]

I didnt know that California had so much crime and criminals that are using 50 caliber guns. In my state, criminals use other weapons. I wonder why there is so much crime in California with criminals using 50 caliber?

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

This ban will just make California easier to reconquer when it comes time.

[canalabamian]

BMG

Big Mother------' Gun

[newzjunkey]

I see a difference.

[CWOJackson]

I was thinking about getting one for some RV hunting. I'm sure it would take out a Winnebago with one shot.

[newzjunkey]

Oh please! California's on the verge of being conquered without firing a shot! Latino's are on the verge of becoming a majority while their political leaders do all they can to ensure "open borders," Spanish-language education and so forth. Assimilation, the *critical* backbone of maintaining any society, is dead in CA and it's a fight I don't know that we can win--it may be too late. More and more "accommodation" is happening everyday. I live in an Asian ghetto in San Diego, over 60% Asian. It wasn't always that way but it's increasingly difficult to get a hair cut and *communicate* my desires, or to read simply store front signs because they're not in English--obviously my business is not welcome.

NONE of these issues can be addressed with a 50 cal sniper rifle.

[flashbunny]

countdown to the (r)nold apologists and cheering section:

Arriving in 5...4...3...2...

[sport]

Reference your post # 4

I agree.