[El Gato]

The only thing it's good for is for military or police application.

The militia serves both a military and police function, in the latter role it is known as the posse commitatus

[Towed_Jumper]

"Barrett and other gun advocacy groups heavily lobbied the state of California, the first state to pass a law making it illegal to make and sell the gun."

As a result of Los Angeles and California banned the .50-Cals Ronnie Barrett took an appropriate and bold step - he no longer sells or services any of his weapons to California LE agencies.

Here's a copy of the text he includes in has advertising:

"The California Legislature has banned the .50 BMG from the good citizens of the state of California violating their rights and the constitution of our republic. Therefore, Barrett will not sell to or services any California government agencies."

Kudos to Ronnie Barrett for putting principals before sales. Now if Glock and Sig would do the same...say, in places like Massachusetts, Chicago, Baltimore, Boston, etc...t

[Tarantulas]

Very dangerous elements gravitate toward these weapons."

Really? Which ones?

[LibWhacker]

Taliban vs. .50cal (2.3MB)

[El Gato]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- When U.S. soldiers need to penetrate a tank's armor from a mile away, they count on a weapon that evolved from the garage tinkering of a former wedding photographer.

Actually they call in an Abrams Main Battle Tank, or a Bradley with TOW launchers, or a Humvee with a Tow launcher. Or an Apache with HellFire missiles and a 25 mm chain gun, an A-10 with a 30 mm Gatling cannon, Maverick missiles or laser guided bombs. Or in a pinch they call for a Harrier, Falcon, Hornet, Bombcat, or Strike Eagle to come "plink" the tank with a laser guided bomb (500, 1000 or 2000 pound varieties)

[Hardastarboard]

"They're (.50 caliber) easier to buy than a handgun," Diaz said. "These are ideal weapons of terrorist attack. Very dangerous elements gravitate toward these weapons."

Bu!!sh!t!!! They're not easy to find, at least not in the gunshops I go to, and they're expensive as hell, like five to seven times what a handgun costs.

This single quote should disqualify any reporter from ever quoting Tom Diaz again. Ever.

[ol painless]

"The .50-caliber rifle created by Ronnie Barrett and sold by his company, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., is the most powerful firearm civilians can buy."

Try a 14.5mm JDJ (50 BMG necked up to 58 cal.) http://www.sskindustries.com/14.htm

It has a non-destructive device exemption from the ATF. But even 'civilians' can own 20mm guns on up if they register them as destructive devices and pay the tax.

[Squantos]

Dear Presstitute and Terrorism Ex'Spurt....

................Too many folks know what the 50BMG Cartridge will and won't do. Your lies don't get a pass from all the GI's, past, present or future. Doom on ya for lying "Joe & Rose"...........ya'll remind me of other breeders of lies, losers and liars.

[Lancer_N3502A]

""I don't understand what good a .50-caliber is going to do you," King said. "I don't understand any civilian use of it."

Well d!ckhead that's why it's called the Bill of RIGHTS not the Bill of Needs.

[Doc91678]

To Mr. Barrett, Well done. Free enterprise, an agile mind and perserverance brought this man success. The fact that the Armed services can use his expertise is fine with me. As far as civilian use, I think that this weapon should fall under the 1934 gun control act. If you don't understand look it up.

[R. Scott]

"You can't really hunt with it because it would destroy most of the meat."

He must be using the newer Mk211 round – but it’s not available to the general public, the same with the AP round and the old HE rounds. The FMJ ball round should pass cleanly through the meat if it doesn't hit bone.

[185JHP]

"When you care enough to send the very best..."