Democrat Targets .50 Caliber Revolver for Nationwide Ban

CNSNews.com ^ | February 17, 2003 | Democrat Targets .50 Caliber Revolver for Nationwide Ban By Michael L. Betsch

[Blood of Tyrants]

A well-known gun maker recently introduced a powerful new hunting revolver that is said to have no equal in terms of firepower.

But within days of introducing the Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum at an industry-wide trade show in Florida, an anti-gun Democrat promised to seek a nationwide ban on the product.

"It's hard for me to rationalize any particular need or purpose" for the 500 Magnum, said Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.). "I think guns are made to kill people. That's my opinion."

Asked if he would seek a nationwide ban on the 500 Magnum, Davis replied, "Yes, indeed."

Billed as the "most powerful production revolver in the world today," S&W claims its new 500 Magnum cartridge produces nearly three times the muzzle energy of the .44 Magnum round, one of the most powerful sidearm cartridges available.

But Davis said the .50 caliber revolver, which weighs 72.5 ounces and has an overall length 15-inch has no purpose in society except to cause injury and death to humans, dismissing the manufacturer's claim that it is intended for hunting wild game.

He claimed handguns in general are specifically designed kill fellow human beings, whereas rifles and shotguns are typically relegated to hunting animals.

"You don't go out hunting deer with a revolver," Davis said. "Those of us who live in big, urban centers have a different fear and a different take than some people who may live in different environments."

Davis believes the 500 Magnum has a greater potential for becoming a lethal inner-city status symbol than an effective hunting tool, at least in his congressional district. He added that its high power combined with its concealability could make it the "weapon of choice" for urban gangs.

"If you live in a place like Chicago, and you know the amount of violence that is perpetrated by individuals who grow-up with the idea that having, handling and using a gun is a way-of-life in terms of establishing yourself on the streets or as part of the culture, then I'm afraid that many of these individuals will, in fact, acquire this weapon," Davis said.

"And, of course, the thing will be, 'I've got the most powerful piece on the block,'" he said.

Can a revolver be an assault weapon?

While Smith & Wesson's new five-round revolver is billed by the company as "the most powerful production revolver ever made," it's already being reclassified by some gun control advocates.

"If you've got something that masquerades as a handgun, but has the firepower of a major weapon, you're all at risk," said Illinois State House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie. "This is not the Wild West. It hasn't been for a long time."

Currie compared the 500 Magnum to "military-style assault weapons," although she had no information to base her claims on except for a "tip" received from a reporter.

"I'm not a weapons expert, but it sounded like pretty strong firepower to me," Currie said. "The description I heard was that from a significant range you could fell a large bear."

She dismissed the notion that the 500 Magnum is a hunting revolver, but did equate it with mob violence.

"My concern is whether this kind of weaponry -- it is a handgun as I understand it -- in a crowded, urban area downtown street corners in the midst of people who are angry about something and developing the kind of rage that means vandalism and mob action - whether this kind of weapon has any place," Currie said.

Like Davis, Currie said she would examine the prospects of making the sidearm illegal in the state.

"I'm going to look at the technology, as I say, and see if there is any way to specifically keep it from operating in the state of Illinois," Flynn said. "We are also working on efforts to ban military-style assault weapons, and, perhaps there is something about this technology that makes it possible to amend that legislation to include firepower like this."

Anti-gun message said to be flawed

Rifles are most commonly used for hunting, but many gun enthusiasts have also used smaller side arms for hunting, according to Gun Owners of America Executive Director Larry Pratt, who corrected the claim by Davis that hunters don't use revolvers to shoot prey.

"He's quite ignorant because there are people who do," Pratt said. "I do know for a fact that people take large caliber handguns with them to go hunting. And, I have no doubt that if you were lucky enough to get close enough, you could take a deer down with a .44 Magnum, which until now, was the biggest gun around."

As far as Davis' contention that any would-be criminal could easily conceal the 500 Magnum, Pratt said, "Yeah, if you have a trench coat or something like that."

Asked if the 500 Magnum's predecessor, the .44 Magnum faced the same criticisms and threats by politicians upon its introduction in 1955, Pratt said the controversy over Smith and Wesson's latest offering appears to be a sign of the times.

"It was all sort of good clean fun when it was introduced, but we're 20 years further along the gun-hating sensitivity training," Pratt said. "We're talking about the frame of mind that opposes concealed carry by private citizens."

[archy]

Now that's a nice handgun!

Well, if you like those smallbore handguns, it's okay....

[cake_crumb]

Hubby's been known to plugs bears with a 9MM 380 Mauser.

[Djarum]

"If you live in a place like Chicago, and you know the amount of violence that is perpetrated by individuals who grow-up with the idea that having, handling and using a gun is a way-of-life in terms of establishing yourself on the streets or as part of the culture, then I'm afraid that many of these individuals will, in fact, acquire this weapon," Davis said.

"And, of course, the thing will be, 'I've got the most powerful piece on the block,'" he said.

By this logic they will buy the most powerful weapon available until every calibre is banned.

[Gunslingr3]

If Rep. Davis understood the Bill of Rights he understands that gun is to protect us from him. No wonder he wants to ban it...

[G L Tirebiter]

Excellent...

You've got real potential as a screen writer.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Sorry, logic is not allowed in the war to disarm America.

[Protagoras]

He claimed handguns in general are specifically designed kill fellow human beings, whereas rifles and shotguns are typically relegated to hunting animals.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,

hunt the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Sergio]

Hi

So S&W is learning what we knew all along. You can't trust a rat.

When S&W got on board with the Clinton administration, it was with the understanding that if S&W did what the government wanted, the government would protect S&W from local suits and laws such as the one proposed.

If you choose to sleep with dogs, don't complain about the fleas.

That being said, the 2nd Ammendment trumps any feelings of betrayal I have towards S&W, especially now that they are American owned again. I hope they do well and that the RATS continue with their anti-gun rant to their political doom at the polls.

Best Regards

Sergio

[NY Patriot]

Hey S&W... that deal you made with the Clinton Administration sure bought you a lot of good will & political cover from gun grabbing Democrat politicians, now didn't it!!!

Yup... the strategy of appeasing the enemy is sound one. It worked for S&W. It worked for Colt (sear blocks, non-standard pins, no bayo lugs...), and I'm sure it will work for Glock!

Heck... look how well appeasement is working in Iraq.

[robertpaulsen]

"Davis believes the 500 Magnum has a greater potential for becoming a lethal inner-city status symbol"

I guess he forgot that he helped to pass legislation making it illegal to possess a gun inside Chicago city limits.

Don't worry about the gang bangers, Danny, it's illegal for them to own one.

BTW, I thought we got rid of Saturday Night Specials because the gang bangers were using them. So what is it? Ban $90 guns or $900 guns?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Gun grabber logic:

Ban "Saturday night specials" because they are too cheap,

"pocket rockets" because they are too small and concealable,

.50 BMG rifles because they are too big and powerful,

large caliber handguns because they have "no sporting use" (hunting isn't a sport?),

"assault weapons" because they have magazines that are too big and shoot too many bullets,

"sniper rifles" because they can be used to kill people from great distances,

"street sweeper" shotguns because they have "no legitimate use"(then why do the police have them?),

25ACP, 32ACP, .380, and 9mm because they are used by gangs,

and the rest because they are scary.

[Wasichu]

Here are the specs for a revolver called "Thunder-Five" which also shoots 45/.410:
Caliber: .45 Long Colt & .410-bore shotshells
Action: Single & double action.
Capacity: Five shots.
Length: Nine inches, overall.
Weight: 48 ounces.
Barrel Length: Two inches.
Safeties: Internal draw bar safety, ambidextrous hammer blocking safety lever, adult trigger pull, and CHILD RESISTANT loading feature.
Finish: Durable phosphate finish.
Features: Fixed combat sights & Pachmayr grips.


You can see the photo at http://www.thunder5.com/
(I've forgotten how to post the pics...)

[Clemenza]

Davis is WRONG! Handguns have been BANNED in Chicago since the administration of Jane Byrne. There CAN'T be a problem with magnums in Chicago!
>p>
As hard as it may be for you guys to believe, there was a time when I WISHED that I had Danny Davis as my congressmen. That was because my congressman at the time was none other than Bobby "Da Panther" Rush.

[NMFXSTC]

Davis believes the 500 Magnum has a greater potential for becoming a lethal inner-city status symbol than an effective
hunting tool, at least in his congressional district. He added that its high power combined with its concealability could make it the "weapon of choice" for urban gangs.

"If you live in a place like Chicago, and you know the amount of violence that is perpetrated by individuals who grow-up with the idea that having, handling and using a gun is a way-of-life in terms of establishing yourself on the streets or as part of the culture, then I'm afraid that many of these individuals will, in fact, acquire this weapon," Davis said.

Ya think maybe these two concerned legislators ought to be concentrating on cleaning up their city and district instead of going bonkers over a handgun? Who elected these kinds of people who get their information and make decisions on "tips" (especially when they openly state they are not "gun experts")????

[Jonathon Spectre]

If Rep. Davis understood the Bill of Rights he understands that gun is to protect us from him. No wonder he wants to ban it...

You don't NEED a .50 caliber handgun, Gunslinger. What would you NEED such a weapon for?

Answer: Blowing big-ass holes in whatever I choose to blow big-ass holes in, be it watermelons, cans, or invaders.

[Inyo-Mono]

This is a LE MAT two-barrel Revolver. This gun is a transitional model having all features of the first model, with the exception of the loading lever mounted on the left side. Girard & Co., Paris, France manufactured it. It was produced circa 1860. The inventor of this unusual weapon was Dr. Jean Alexander Francois Le Mat of New Orleans, Louisiana. He and P. G. T. Beauregard tried to manufacture this revolver in America. Their efforts were unsuccessful. Le Mat then went to Paris where Dr. Girard became a partner and manufactured the revolvers. They have a 9 shot cylinder of .42 caliber and a .63 caliber shotgun barrel.

These pistols have unbeliveable firepower! My brother has a black powder replica made by Navy Arms and I have fired it several times. Nine shot .44 with either #7 shot or a .62 caliber ball in the big center chamber. I'm still shaking from the last time I shot it.

[Dan from Michigan]

"You don't go out hunting deer with a revolver," Davis said.

WRONG, Danny. Wrong. If you ever leave Sickago, you may learn something. Handgun hunting is becoming more and more popular. It's more of a challenge than rifle.

Davis believes the 500 Magnum has a greater potential for becoming a lethal inner-city status symbol

44 Mag? How come it's usually .22, .25 or .32 calibers that are used in gang crimes?

[3D-JOY]

I think this thread has just solved my gift-giving problem for son-in -law.

When are they available?

[LibKill]

I think this thread has just solved my gift-giving problem for son-in -law.

Kinda makes me wish I was one of your son-in-laws. :)