So people will have to go to an incorporated area and spend the $2000 it will cost to buy one?
What rubbish is this?
I want my... I want my... I want my BFG
Posted on 08/11/2003 12:23:22 PM PDT by Socratease
County studies, readies rifle bill By Peter Felsenfeld CONTRA COSTA TIMES
All it would take is a willing mind and a powerful explosive to turn Contra Costa's hulking oil refineries into giant chemical bombs.
In an age of terrorism and readily available weapons, neither prospect can be completely discounted.
So Contra Costa supervisors are scheduled Tuesday to take aim at a readily available gun they say presents just such a threat. The board is expected to ask county attorneys to draft an ordinance that would ban the sale of .50-caliber BMG rifles in unincorporated areas.
The measure would be based on similar legislation approved in Los Angeles this summer. Supervisors say they want Contra Costa cities to follow with similar laws.
Such steps are necessary because any person could purchase the weapon, set up on a hillside and cause some major damage to a refinery, said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond. The gun is often fired as it rests on stand.
"These are not the kind of things that are used by street gangs, because they're so big and obvious," he said. "They're more likely to be used by bad people who are intent on causing serious harm."
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, introduced legislation this year to curb the manufacture and sale of .50-caliber rifles statewide. His bill, AB50, stalled in the Senate Public Safety Committee last month.
The weapons generally weigh between 30 and 50 pounds, and can be bought legally in stores or online for about $5,000, said Dan Lilja, owner of Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels, which manufactures barrels for the guns.
The world's most skilled marksman can hit targets with the rifle up to 1,980 yards away, according to the Fifty Caliber Club Web site.
Supervisor Gayle Uilkema of Lafayette said the guns could fire exploding bullets through 8 inches of steel, and certainly through containers transporting hazardous materials.
"There is no way we can completely shut off access to the refineries," she said. "The gun has the capability to destroy refinery equipment."
The ordinance would probably set off a firestorm of opposition from gun advocates. Chuck Michel, spokesman for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, called Uilkema's statement "utter crap."
"There's absolutely no way it can pierce 8 inches of steel."
He said the supervisors were stoking fears of terrorism to push an anti-gun agenda and mask the rifle's legitimate sporting uses.
"These rifles are legal for a reason: they're primarily used for hunting and target shooting events," he said. "If a terrorist really wanted to destroy a refinery, he could get his hands on a rocket-propelled grenade on the black market."
(Excerpt) Read more at bayarea.com ...
You've heard of potato guns?
I have a puppy gun. I use it to launch puppies over the Atlanta skyline.
They look just like meteors, except if you listen closely, you can hear: "wwwwhiiiiiimmppppppperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........"
So I say's to the Loch Ness Monster, "MONSTER! No you can't have no fiddy cal." And my wife goes, "I let him have a 9." And I go, "WOMAN! You can't be giv'n no Loch Ness Monster no 9 millimeter! He'll just be back for a fiddy cal!"
You know, this whole line of debate may solve a future near-Earth asteriod problem. Every cloud does have a silver lining after all.
Wow, that's a relief. I was thinkin' I'd have to cut back on my drinkin'. Them pups sure do fuss alot while you're ramrodding them down the barrel...I had to switch to hamsters.
You might be right! However, until you get your azimuth corrected for time, you may want to consider taking aim at the moon.
Semper Fi
You're not Richard Gere, by any chance....?
So people will have to go to an incorporated area and spend the $2000 it will cost to buy one?
What rubbish is this?
I want my... I want my... I want my BFG
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.