VPC: U.S. Gun Industry Armed Osama bin Laden's Terror Network:

U. S. Newswire ^ | 7 Oct 2001 11:48 | Naomi Seligman

[dhuffman@awod.com]

VPC: US Gun Insudtry Armed Osama bin Laden  
VPC: US Gun Insudtry Armed Osama bin Laden
U.S. Newswire
7 Oct 11:48

VPC: U.S. Gun Industry Armed Osama bin Laden's Terror Network:
Al Qaeda Bought 25 Barrett 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles
To: National Desk
Contact: Naomi Seligman of the Violence Policy Center,
202-822-8200 ext. 105
E-mail: nseligman@vpc.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. gun industry sold
at least twenty-five 50 caliber sniper rifles to Al Qaeda, Osama
bin Laden's terror network, a study released by the Violence Policy
Center (VPC) today reports. The study, Voting From the Rooftops,
details the tremendous power of the Barrett M82A1 50 caliber sniper
rifles-which U.S. Marines used in the Gulf War to knock out Iraqi
armored vehicles from 1,750 yards away-and the gun's potential use
to commit terror acts that could cause enormous casualties. The
Barrett sniper rifle has spawned a bourgeoning market for these
types of weapons that are becoming cheaper, lighter and more widely
available. There are known to be at least fifteen 50-caliber sniper
rifle manufacturers-nearly double the number of companies that were
manufacturing and marketing 50 calibers to civilians in 1999.

"We can be shocked, but not surprised that the gun industry
would sell these dangerous military weapons to Al Qaeda," said the
study's author, Tom Diaz, VPC's senior policy analyst. "These 50
caliber sniper rifles are ideal tools for terror and
assassination."

Voting from the Rooftops explains the enormous range of 50
caliber sniper rifles, the explosive power of special
armor-piercing and armor-piercing incendiary ammunition easily
available in the United States, and why this war-fighting power in
the hands of Al Qaeda and other terrorists creates a grave threat
to all Americans. Among the dangers the study details are:

How 50 caliber sniper rifles can create disaster at industrial
facilities handling explosive, toxic or volatile chemical-the kind
of threat terrorism analysts already warn transforms a target into
a weapon.

Why a report for the Air Force warned that 50 caliber sniper
rifles endanger aircraft, bulk fuel tanks, fuel trucks and other
airport facilities-terrorists can turn planes into "bombs on the
ground."

The rash of 50 caliber sniper rifles found in the arsenals of
domestic terrorist and extremist groups, including one that plotted
to kill a state governor, U.S. Senator, and federal judges.

To obtain a copy of Voting from the Rooftops please call Naomi
Seligman at 202-822-8200 ext. 105 or visit the VPC website at
http://www.vpc.org.
 

KEYWORDS:

GUNS/FIREARMS, POLICY

-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
10/07 11:48

Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire

[dhuffman@awod.com]

I wonder how VPC discovered this "fact"? Hmmmm? Let's see, maybe they merged the names of all of the terrorists, their aliases and their organizations with the names of .50BMG purchasers? No? No one keeps these lists? Thank goodness!

Oh well. They had no credibility with me to start with. I imagine Ms. Seligman needs comments since I'm sure they keep a close watch on public opinion.

[dirtboy]

What a bunch of shameless clymers.

[lavaroise]

I swear, I am going to by a 50bmg before the liberals pull again one of their stupid laws that help terrorists and keep us naked in the muslim wilderness of hatred.

[B Knotts]

So, that's how they got those box cutters...

[Twodees]

No, I doubt that these communists care a whit for public opinion. They want the US to have no firearms industry, and they are joined in that wish by many in Congress.

If it comes to a world war like that last one, where do they suppose the weapons will come from to defend their sorry, cowardly hides? Clinton saw to it that millions of perfectly serviceable militia weapons were destroyed, and the BATF has seen to it that inventors can't work on military designs without jumping through hoops.

My view is that anyone who attempts to disarm Americans is a traitor. Treason is a capitol offense and people like the author of this article deserve to be arrested and charged.

[Liberal Classic]

These people are shameless. VPI is likening us American citizens to murderous fanatics that can't keep our fingers off the trigger.

[Joe Brower]

I used to wonder if the leftist liars at orgs like the VPC and their ilk were smoking crack. I wonder no more. Disgusting. The lies these scum promulgate border on treason.

[bluetoad]

Look they may have Elephant Guns(.50BMG). These guys are using every thing from Box Cutters to Cluster Munitions. I hope they try to smuggle a .50BMG thru Airport Security with the National Guard there just to see the video on FOX.

I think they wouldn’t need a metal detector to find it.

[AF68]

What a crock of crap!

[zx2dragon]

The VPC sucks.

[TheDon]

This is standard drivel for this anti-self-defense fanatics, blaming the weapon instead of the perp. But to try and take advantage of the murders of 7,000 people to promote their victim disarmament campaign is shameless.

[Billthedrill]

They discovered this "fact" the same way they discovered "gun show loophole" and "pocket rocket" - they made it up. Rarely do you get an organization that so depends on the outright lie as VPC - or who gets away with it so often.

[FatherTorque]

Here's the link to the full article in PDF format.
http://www.vpc.org/graphics/rooftop.pdf

The guy grabbed a bunch of stuff from the .50 cal bulletin board I hang out at, www.biggerhammer.net. He grabbed some pics and a map that one of the members made for us showing what area we live in on a U.S. map. Needless to say we weren't too happy about it.

This guy is another in a string of idiots who knows just enough to be dangerous. If you want a .50 cal though, I'd go ahead and buy one, Waxman and his ilk are pushing this hard and I don't put much faith in the NRA to help us much.

Shameless plug here for the manufacturer of my .50. www.serbu.com. Mark Serbu is the owner of the company and a stand-up guy. Sells a quality product at a reasonable price and stands behind his stuff. He also hangs out at the biggerhammer board and is easy to get ahold of. If you are in the market for a .50, I highly recommend him.

[RippleFire]

The VPC themes for the year were 50 cal and "pocket rockets". Even the WTC can't get them to change their message apparently. Now that we have seen this phony claim, stand by for the claim that Osama and his pals all have "pocket rockets". Hmm,maybe not - that might be banned by the Taliban.

[Crowcreek]

If I were shooting at a running target I would WANT him to be lugging a Barrett .50 !!

[RebelDawg]

Well of course they did...

Because the liberals won't allow them to sell these to law abiding citizens!

[wysiwyg]

...knock out Iraqi armored vehicles from 1,750 yards...

It just gets more ridiculous by the minute. 1750 yards?!! Gimme a break. Even the .50BMG doesn't carry enough energy that far downrange to punch through armor.

[ctdonath2]

I also lurk at BiggerHammer, and am unhappy about my dot appearing in the map stolen by VPC. But, I knew something like that might happen and let the dot appear anyway. Anyone deciding to "do something" about the people on the map should remember _why_ they're on that map.

I read the whole report. It's reasonably well researched, but includes some stupid mistakes/deceptions, and in the extensive attempt to link .50BMGs with Bin Laden the author forgets that it WASN'T a .50BMG that was used on 9/11, but boxcutters and credit cards. Too many people are so wrapped up in their fear of things that they forget things are not the problem - minds are (but I suppose the NEA is working on that one).