Inside the Chilling World of Civilian Snipers(Liberal Stick Head in the Sand Alert!)

ABC News,com ^ | Oct. 12 | Bob Woodruff

[Draakan]

Few Americans are aware of a mysterious world that teaches civilians how to master the deadly sniper art — and it's only mouse clicks away.

Through videos and Web sites, civilian snipers have attracted a cult following.

"'One shot, one kill' is the slogan of the sniper," said Tom Diaz of the Violence Policy Center.

A series of sniper shootings — eight of them fatal — in the Washington, D.C, region has area residents living in fear — which is exactly the way the sniper wants it.

"There is a subculture, there is a civilian subculture in this country dedicated to the fulfillment of that proposition," said Diaz.

Sniper Glorification

Through the Violence Policy Center, a national nonprofit organization working to fight gun violence, Diaz has been monitoring the sniper culture for years. He has been collecting evidence of what he calls the glorification of the sniper.

This evidence includes training videos that teach people how to build high-powered rifles and use them with devastating effect.

In addition, Diaz has collected dozens of books with menacing titles and pictures. There are also Web sites, he says, that recount the heroic work of military snipers and also advertise for sniper training.

Historically, members of the military and police forces have taken sniper-training courses, but it wasn't a civilian pastime. In the last 10 years, however, special sniper courses have been open to the public — to anyone who can afford to sign up.

'Killing Human Beings'

Peter Tarley, an expert sniper who has been teaching courses for police departments and the military for years, says he understands what attracts some civilians to the sniper world, although he refuses to teach them.

"It maybe shocking to the average American to know that there are training schools that civilians can go to," Tarley said. "There are Web sites, all of which teach this doctrine: 'one shot, one kill.' … And we're not talking about shooting woodchucks, we're talking about killing human beings."

Web sites with names like "Sniper's Paradise" and "Sniper Country" provide a road map on how to master this deadly art, Tarley said.

Although they are careful to warn readers not to act criminally, many are riddled with disturbing quotes.

"The careful application of terror is another form of communication," says one sniper on a Web site's chat board.

Another sniper wrote: "The only thing I feel when I kill is the recoil from my rifle."

A particularly chilling quote reads: "Don't try to run. You'll only die tired."

Obsessed by the Sport's Demands

Hollywood movies about snipers have gained nearly cult status in the sniper culture.

Enemy at the Gates, a movie about snipers in World War II, and Sniper, starring Tom Berenger, are discussed frequently on sniper Web sites' chat boards.

Tarley says shooters who become obsessed with sniping are attracted to the sport's demands.

"They're trying to be as precise as possible, the breathing control required — the ability to time your shot with your heartbeat," Tarley said.

Gun-control advocates say the sniper culture is growing fast and needs to be controlled, because even with their conspicuous weapons, snipers can get away.

But despite the disturbing messages posted by snipers on their favorite Web sites, Tarley insists the sniper culture is not a dangerous one. He says snipers rarely murder.

[Draakan]

Didn't see this posted after a search.

If this article is not politicizing these shooting............ @#$%^&! Anyone as PeeOed as I am about this?

"Gun-control advocates say the sniper culture is growing fast and needs to be controlled, because even with their conspicuous weapons, snipers can get away."

Ugghhhh.................What can I say? Another unbiased report from the masters of socialism, and the home of the Arab Broadcasting Company.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"In addition, Diaz has collected dozens of books with menacing titles and pictures. There are also Web sites, he says, that recount the heroic work of military snipers"

This is really a worrysome body of evidence. Who knows what sort of madness these VRWC types will get into next--posters and trading cards? Save the children NOW!

[MarkL]

Another example of encroaching incrementalism... What used to be known as hunting rifles will soon be characterized as "high power sniper rifles."

We've already seen the .223 presented as an all powerful killing machine, what hunter would ever use this incredibly powerful military ammunition?

Mark

[pocat]

A radio talk show host was calling long-range shooters the "sniper cult" the other day.

Get used to hearing that, get ready for the media assault and bad bad legislation.

[pocat]

SniperCountry.com's response to the Washington area shootings

[Squantos]

Dear Bob Woodruff, .........You blithering idiot. There is no such critter as a "civilian sniper". They are called criminals, killers, murderers but sniper is reserved for professional goobermint trained marksmen with a set of skills too many to list here........shooting just being one of them.

Just as sitting in church does not make one a christan nor does riding in a plane make one a pilot. Owning a rifle DOES NOT make one a sniper.

But Bob you ignorant noooooze presstitute big itch I suspect the facts don't fit your yellow journalism agenda. tell the lie long and loud enough and it shall become true.................NOT !

Stay Safe Pocat !

[joesnuffy]

what a disarming liar

[CARepubGal]

Good response! Bump

[umgud]

Snipers are not terrorists (usually). They fullfill a function, generally a sanctioned one. Their aim is to take someone out, not inflict terror, as this idiot suggests. Our current sniper is a terrorist and or a madman. He may not even be a sniper, but just a good shot with a twisted urge.

[templar]

Get used to hearing that, get ready for the media assault and bad bad legislation.

Which Bush will gladly sign into law once it passes.

[tet68]

It's a good thing these folks haven't heard about C&R licenses, it would be enough to turn their hair gray.
Heehee, they don't know how the ATF is arming the populace.

[Squantos]

Didn't take long for the bottom feeders to spew their sedition and socialist sh*t and shineola show to the sheeple........

Hope all is well and safe in your world Caligirl.

Stay Safe !

[PistolPaknMama]

...the truth is they are MURDERS committed by a serial killer, not a SNIPER. As we have always maintained, a true sniper is a soldier fighting for his nation or a law enforcement officer intent on saving lives. Both are heroes of unrecognized proportions, doing a hard, miserable job in the name of the people they have sworn to protect.

Excellent rebuttal on Sniper.com. Thanks for the link.

[glc1173@aol.com]

Neither of these guys are or were "snipers" - they are way too unskilled in every way. Even their marksmanship is mediocre - and that's the least-important part of a sniper's skill areas.

How skilled are Washington "snipers?"

[Travis McGee]

Gun-control advocates say the sniper culture is growing fast and needs to be controlled, because even with their conspicuous weapons, snipers can get away.

Look for scopes to be banned. "What kind of a 'sportsman' has to shoot Bambi from a mile away?"

In my novel, semi autos are banned 2 days after the stadium massacre, and as a result of the backlash from the "million deer rifle army" a week later it is made illegal to have a scope mounted on a rifle.

[Squantos]

I shoot highpower matches with my M1A in Raton NM with iron sights at Whittington Center........... 1000 yards. They can take all the scopes they want and it won't change what a skilled shooter can accomplish with the proper tool.

This is nothing more than the precursor to confiscation as you, me and many others have suggested all along. I think it's sad that firearms save millions of lives a year yet all they can see are the criminal elements use of them. Analogious of taking my car from me because someone else used a automobile to run down a bunch of kids in a crosswalk .

Stay Safe , Cache something yesterday.......

[Travis McGee]

Very few can hit much past 200 yards without a scope, so first they will demonize them as the "deadly" component.

You know the drill by now:

Pistol under $200 = "Saturday night special"

Pistol over $200 = "high powered high capacity racegun."

Semi auto rifle = "assault rifle."

Scoped hunting rifle = "deadly high powered sniper rifle."

Etc.

[FreedomPoster]

Maybe finally the hunters will be awakened from their slumber, to start realizing what the sport utility rifle owners have been saying about the gun grabbers.

[harpseal]

So they are all bent out of shape about a "Sniper Culture." They are worried about books and websites and tee shirts along with as I understand it any rifle that can hit accurately at 100 yards or more. So they are willing toi do away with the Freedom of speech and freedom of the press in order to stop Americans from possessing long range weapons. Of course such weapons figured prominently in the battle for American Independence.

If it were not for rifles that shot acuurately at distances greater than 100 yards the Americans would most likely not have won the Battles of Bennington and Saratoga (to name two that were at the turning point of our revolution). Of course the totalitarian scum that believe in gun control don't care and are would rather lie than tell the truth because the truth would show them to be total frauds.

Almost all the quotes about sniping come from Militaria type t-shirts that ex-military and current military are known for wearing.

Hold on this is going to get very nasty and remember Sarah Brady bought a "sniper rifle" for her son.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown