And it DOES shoot!
Posted on 02/28/2005 9:37:36 AM PST by Dan from Michigan
Lawmakers seek ban on .50-caliber rifles
Monday, February 28, 2005
By Brian Mackey
of Copley News Service
SPRINGFIELD - Rifles that can accurately pierce half-inch armor from more than a mile away are as legal as most other firearms in Illinois, but several state lawmakers want them banned.
House Bill 1098 would make it a felony to manufacture, distribute, transport, import or sell .50-caliber rifles and ammunition. The bill would make it a misdemeanor to possess up to two of the weapons or any .50-caliber ammunition. The felony would be punishable by three to seven years in prison, while the legislation specifies a first offense of possession would be a "petty offense," punishable by a $500 fine.
The .50-caliber rifles can be up to 5 1/2 feet long, weigh 35 pounds and cost $2,500. The rounds are nearly 5 1/2 inches long, more than a half-inch in diameter and are available in armor-piercing and incendiary varieties.
Thomas Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, portrayed the proposed ban as an anti-terrorism measure. He described the .50-caliber as the most powerful rifle available on the civilian market.
"It is so powerful that it threatens airplanes - taxiing on the runway, taking off or landing - from hundreds of yards away," Mannard said.
Gun-rights groups counter that the weapons have never been used in a crime. And National Rifle Association lobbyist Todd Vandermyde said couching the ban in the language of anti-terrorism was "fear mongering to try and create an issue where none exists."
Vandermyde said "Saturday night specials" and assault weapons were in vogue among gun-control activists a decade ago, and that the ban on .50-caliber weapons was just the "gun ban du jour."
Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, is the bill's chief sponsor. She recounted the 1993 standoff between Branch Davidians and federal law enforcement agents at an armed compound in Waco, Texas, during which the Davidians fired .50-caliber rounds at agents. The government brought in armored Bradley fighting vehicles but found that even those could not stop the bullets.
"These are not hunting weapons. These are in fact weapons of war," said Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago, a chief co-sponsor of the bill. He called the NRA's statement that no crime has ever been committed with a .50-caliber rifle an "interesting criteria," and said he hoped the General Assembly would not wait until there is a homicide.
Despite objections from the NRA, the bill has attracted one Republican co-sponsor. Rep. Elizabeth Coulson of Glenview said, "There are certain pieces of legislation that I wish we could discard the party labels and sponsors and affiliations, because this is really a bipartisan issue to protect the citizens of the state of Illinois."
One Republican to discard his party labels was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, who last year signed the first .50-caliber ban in the nation.
"Davidians fired .50-caliber rounds at agents"
A lie. The rifles were found unassembled and unfired.
".... The government brought in armored Bradley fighting vehicles but found that even those could not stop the bullets"
That's what the .50 is for, idiots.
this was posted on friday the 25th.
I had heard that the Davidians did NOT fire the .50 caliber rifle at the BATF storm troopers. If my information is correct, Ms. Nekritz is either ignorant or a liar. She's a politician. Take your pick.
If I'm wrong, and they did fire the gun at the BATF agents, someone please correct me.
"Rifles that can accurately pierce half-inch armor from more than a mile away.."
Yeah, I want to be at least a mile away when piercing armor accurately.
"It is so powerful that it threatens airplanes - taxiing on the runway, taking off or landing - from hundreds of yards away,"
The same can be said for Mannard's breath.
I did a search and it didn't show.
And it DOES shoot!
I also asked if he was going to have something like a Knight or any of the other 50 cal muzzle loaders banned. Of course he never answered.
SO, it would be okay if the caliber was .488? Or .550?
Yeah, I guess the people of Illinois are just going to have to settle for rounds larger than .50 cal.
I can see the headline now: "Gun Dealers Say Thousands of Sniper Rifles Sold as Ban Date Looms"
Actually they probably are yeah.
Exactly how are .50 cal rounds the business of the Illinois Council Against Handgun violence? There arent a whole lot of .50 cal handguns, and certainly very few are used in violent crimes.
Elly and Tommy must still be referencing (W. Churchill butt-buddy) Bellesile's disgraced Duhmopropaganda-piece 'Arming America'. Hands off the 2nd Amend., lefty nimrods!
Ban Of .50-Cal. Rifles Sought In Illinois
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 2/25/05 | Frank Main & Art Golab
Posted on 02/25/2005 9:45:07 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Ban of .50-cal. rifles sought in Illinois
February 25, 2005
So if the antis really want to minimize civilian ownership of .50 rifles, their best strategy would have been to say nothing at all. The publicity and especially gun bans will have everybody wanting one. Of course the antis are not too bright.
I did a word search for "ducks" in a on line copy of the US Constitution, and came up empty... Go figure!
What about deer? Any deer clause in there? Or paper targets?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.