Now I guess we have to ban metal pipes, wood, duct tape, and Mountain Dew!
Tom Ridge
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
Office of Homeland Security
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Fax: 202-456-2461
Colin L. Powell
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Fax: 202-261-8577
I am writing to urge you not to place restrictions on the possession of 50 Caliber rifles as proposed by Representative Henry Waxman. Mr. Waxman, a long time opponent of the second amendment and a gun phobe, is attempting to exploit the current situation to further his own agenda rather than security here in the U.S. This is shameful behavior on his part.Furthermore, the Congressman's position with regard to 50 caliber rifles is based on a poorly researched, hysterical "policy paper" prepared by the Violence Policy Center, an organization which has shown no reluctence to use false and/or misleading data to support its outlandish claims. The subject "report" is no exception, amounting to little more than speculation about how 50 Caliber weapons might be used, making unsubstantiated claims about such weapons having been sold to foreign terrorists and making false implication that such weapons have been used for terror in the U.S. In fact, such weapons have not been used illegally in the U.S., but rather are a component of civilian marksmanship programs.
Rather than follow Representative Waxman's path (which leads ultimately to de facto abolishment of the second amendment), I urge you to consider that our current gun laws in the United States in fact facilitate terrorism by creating thousands of so-called "gun-free" zones (such as the four airliners that were hijacked on September 11) that would be attractive targets for terrorists. Our gun laws also unduly restrict law abiding citizens from arming appropriately to protect themselves and others in light of the increased danger we are all in as a result of this war. It is time that existing gun restrictions on law abiding citizens be lifted in order to increase deterrence against terrorism, and I urge you to make such a measure a cornerstone of your Homeland Security program.
5. Everyone knows Waxman is an idiot anyway.
4. Banning 50-caliber rifles will not keep them out of the hands of terrorists, it will only take them from law-abiding citizens. Terrorists will simply buy them from arms dealers overseas.
3. A 50-caliber rifle would only put a large dent in the limousines used by Bush, Cheyney, Ashcroft and other top US officials. Waxman's comments about attacking government limo's are highly deceptive.
2. His proposal blames inanimate tools of man for the criminal acts of men. By the same logic we would also ban knives, baseball bats, golf clubs, industrial explosives, cars, and trucks. (Just for the record, even with the WTC attack, far more people have been killed by drunk drivers in the last 20 years than by terrorists). Did anyone hear one person suggest that we ban knives after the Simpson trial?
1. If an American city is attacked by terrorists using military weapons such as grenade launchers, lighty artillery, etc, we will need citizens armed with military-type weapons such as 50-caliber sniper riles to stop such an attack. We can't place the entire burden of defense on local police. Local police could end up outgunned and outmanned in a coordinated terrorist attack. Then they would need US citizens to provide additional firepower.
Ban Waxman from the US Congress instead!
"If someone is so fearful that they are going to start using their weapons to protect their rights,
it makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all."
~~California Representative Henry Waxman
"Super Guns" Can Down Helicopters, Defeat Armored Limousines, Destroy Aircraft at Terminals, Ignite Fuel Tanks, From Over a MileI assume this one is not a parody, but it’s hard to tell for sure.
patent +AMDG
In Response To Recent News Articles Accusing Barrett Of Selling Guns To Bin Laden
Mr. Tom Diaz of the Violence Policy Center (VPC) has obtained information from the recent trial of a suspected terrorist and has taken several facts out of context to suit his anti-gun agenda. Mr. Diaz would have you believe that the U.S. gun industry is so greedy, evil and un-American that it can and would sell guns to terrorists. Based on Mr. Diaz’ misleading information, news articles are appearing stating that Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. sold guns to Bin Laden and that now our troops will face these weapons.
What is the truth? Well, during the 1980’s it must be remembered that the U.S. was supporting the Afghanistan “freedom fighters” or Mujahedeen in their fight against the Russian invaders. As part of the U.S. initiative, various types of small arms, ammunition and even anti-aircraft Stinger missiles were given to these “freedom fighters” in support of their cause. In retrospect we can say that we learned too late that our former friends would become our enemies, and yes, our troops now face the very weapons our government supplied the opposition.
So how did the Mujahedeen buy this equipment from U.S. companies? Did they walk up to the manufacturer of the Stinger missile, say they were from Afghanistan, hated Russians, and needed a few Stinger missiles to knock some of their planes out of the sky? Certainly not. Officials of the US government either sent them missiles from their own stock or arranged the sale through the current manufacturer. The latter was the case for the Barrett rifles, but Mr Diaz omitted these facts. If cognizant U.S. Government officials request the support of an arms manufacturer in such cases, should we to dispute their judgment?
Mr. Diaz has painted an inaccurate picture for the American people allowing them to believe that there is a gun free-for-all bazaar going on in the U.S. where there are no restrictions to prevent foreign governments or terrorists from buying guns. Mr. Diaz ignores the fact that many laws are in place to govern every one of these sales, and they are strictly enforced. For the export of munitions, the U.S. State Department conducts a lengthy and thorough review of every case, studying the need for the materiel, verifying the credentials of those signing the import documents, and even examining the human rights record of the receiving country. No gun manufacturer would be foolish enough to risk being closed down for violating these laws.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., like other gun manufacturers in the U.S., has been a law-abiding supplier of firearms to the U.S. government and other friendly governments approved by the U.S. State Department. The agency that regulates us, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, was sent to visit our factory after Mr. Diaz’ accusations and concluded that Barrett is now and has been in full compliance with the law.
Mr. Diaz’ comments have been detrimental to the reputation of Barrett Firearms. Many of our customers, vendors, families, and friends have read these headlines and now have a negative opinion of our company. Some of our subcontractors have now refused to supply us. This is bad for Barrett and bad for our country. Since the September 11th attack, Barrett and every other supplier of guns to the U.S. military have been contacted to support the anti-terrorist cause. And once again Barrett Manufacturing will answer our government’s call. We’re all struggling to respond quickly while at the same time fighting the false accusations of Tom Diaz or the frivolous lawsuits of municipalities and others that seek to blame the gun industry for the ills of society.
Unfortunately, Mr. Diaz has recently published a 100+ page diatribe against .50 caliber weapons and the gun industry in general, and in this he has produced a very useful document for terrorist use which points out likely terrorist targets and even gives the actual locations of certain key “targets.” He seems to want his readers to believe that .50 caliber rifles, and only .50 caliber rifles, would be needed by terrorists to attack America. We now know this is not true. This new information which could benefit terrorists comes as no surprise as it follows VPC’s now-famous map showing where terrorist gunmen should stand to hit targets in Washington DC. Someone needs to ask Mr. Diaz: “Are you with us, or with the terrorists?”
signed
The Management of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.
P.O.Box 1077
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37133 USA
Phone: (615) 896-2938
FAX: (615) 896-7313
Whew, I'm really relieved. I just know all of those 'terror cells' are lining up to comply.
Who are the domestic terrorist and extremist groups?
Another... what?
I've been called extremist. I belong to groups. I'm domesticated(mostly).
If they take my 50 caliber Barrett away, what will I hunt Buicks with?