Criminal Use of the 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle

Violence Policy Center ^ | 2001

[technochick99]

Branch Davidian cult members fired 50 caliber sniper rifles at federal agents during their initial gun battle on February 28, 1993. The weapons' ability to penetrate "any tactical vehicle in the FBI's inventory" prompted the agency to request military armored vehicles "to give FBI personnel adequate protection from the .50 caliber rifles" and other more powerful weapons the Branch Davidians might have had.

On February 27, 1992, a Wells Fargo armored delivery truck was attacked in a "military style operation" in Chamblee, Georgia, by several men using a smoke grenade and a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle. Two employees were wounded.

On April 28, 1995, Albert Petrosky walked into an Albertson's Grocery Store in suburban Denver, Colorado, and gunned down his estranged wife and the store manager. Armed with an L.A.R. Grizzly 50 caliber sniper rifle, an SKS Chinese semi-automatic assault rifle, a .32 revolver, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, Petrosky then walked out into the shopping center parking lot, where he exchanged fire with a federal IRS agent passing by and killed Sgt. Timothy Mossbrucker of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Petrosky, who was known to his friends as "50-cal Al," fired all four weapons, including the 50 caliber rifle, during this murderous rampage.

On March 19, 1998, following an undercover investigation, federal law enforcement officers arrested three members of a radical Michigan group known as the North American Militia. The men were charged with plotting to bomb federal office buildings, destroy highways, utilities and public roads, and assassinate the state's governor, senior U.S. Senator, federal judges and other federal officials. All three were ultimately convicted. A 50 caliber sniper rifle was among the weapons found in their possession.

Wisconsin father and son James and Theodore Oswald were sentenced in 1995 to multiple life terms for armed robbery and the murder of a Waukesha police captain. The two had "a small armory of sophisticated and expensive weapons, including two custom-made .50-caliber rifles powerful enough to assault an armored car—which the two were considering doing," according to the Waukesha county sheriff.

In the summer of 1995, Canadian officials in British Columbia found a Barrett 50 caliber sniper rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition for it, and enough explosives to fill a five ton truck at a remote site. It is believed that members of a Texas militia group planned to set up a training camp at the site. Although at least one convicted felon was identified as a suspect, the investigation was dropped due to difficulties in prosecuting across national borders. The incident prompted one Texas Constitutional Militia official to observe, "We are not all raving maniacs. I'd kind of like to keep our lunatics on our side of the border."

According to the General Accounting Office, 50 caliber sniper rifles have been found in the armories of drug dealers in California, Missouri, and Indiana, and a federal investigation in 1999 was "targeting the movement of .50 caliber semi-automatic rifles from the United States to Mexico for use by drug cartels."

At least two persons have been charged with illegally making and selling 50 caliber sniper rifles. Robert W. Stewart of Mesa, Arizona, a convicted felon, is charged with felony possession of firearms by being in possession of Maadi-Griffin 50 caliber "kit guns" he was selling from his home, along with other firearms alleged to be in his possession. Stewart has become a folk hero among hard-line gun rights advocates and 50 caliber enthusiasts. He is distinguished, among other things, by his recent assertion that convicted felons have the right to have guns: "I don't care if he's a mass murderer, he killed 50,000 people. He still has a right to have a gun. A gun is just a tool."

Another convicted felon, Wayne Frank Barbuto, has been charged in Salt Lake with attempting to sell two 50 caliber sniper rifles to undercover federal agents. The government believes Barbuto manufactured the guns himself. It is not clear whether this refers to kit guns of the Maadi-Griffin type.

[technochick99]

It's important to stay aware of the latest set of distortions coming from the anti sites.

[technochick99]

And one of their press releases....:

U.S. Gun Industry Armed Osama bin Laden's Terror Network: Al Qaeda Bought 25 Barrett 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

"Super Guns" Can Down Helicopters, Defeat Armored Limousines, Destroy Aircraft at Terminals, Ignite Fuel Tanks, All From 1,800 yards

Violence Policy Center Report Documents Sale, Details Terror Potential

WASHINGTON, DC— 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 in1999.

"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.

[Lazamataz]

We need one.

[dighton]

Hmmmm, two criminal uses of a .50 caliber weapon in nine years.

[AD from SpringBay]

That's what it sounds like. Better get one while the gettin's good.

[coloradan]

Or should it be bang_lust?

[technochick99]

ROTFLMAO! How cute!

[dighton]

bang_lust_list

[Dog Gone]

Excellent. Where do I get one and how much do they cost?

[Cicero]

So this explains why they sent in all those tanks to kill the women and children at Waco? And then managed to destroy all the evidence, so none of the supposed illegal guns were available to show at the trial?

[TheDon]

VPC - Violence Promotion Center

[Fiddlstix]

More Anti-Gun Crap
BUMP

[america76]

To dredge up an old arguement. More Americans will drown in their back yard swimming pools next year than will be killed by a .50 BMG bullet. If the gun grabbers were interested in saving lives they would be working day and night to enact a ban on pools.

[good1]

The last time I checked, the Barrett was going for $7,500.00+ per copy.

[knarf]

Hmmmmm ...

Nine paragraphs and seven mentions of 'sniper'.

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but ... isn't 50 cal. a little heavy for sniper duty?

[USNBandit]

When I was in high school my father became the proud owner of a british Boyce (SP? Don't have my copy of the Miracle at Dunkirk with me) Anti-Tank Rifle. It was chambered in a .55 caliber cartridge that looked like a huge belted magnum.

After my father passed away, my mother was trying to decide what to do with it. Since it was a class 3 weapon my brother and I were concerned about trying to haul the thing around during our military careers. Fortunately it went to a loving home. The guy owned a half track and a Sherman Tank. We were all pleased with the sale, especially when he bought our 4 pounder muzzle loading cannon as well.

To this day my mother still complains about tripping over "that darned anti-tank gun." I, on the other hand, recall the boyish (or Boycish) glee on his face the first time he fired it. After the monstrous report he got up looking a little dazed, his glasses and ear protectors askew with the biggest grin on his face.

Does that not define "the pursuit of happiness?"

[HangThemHigh]

"We need one"

Just one?

[Southack]

"Branch Davidian cult members fired 50 caliber sniper rifles at federal agents during their initial gun battle on February 28, 1993. The weapons' ability to penetrate "any tactical vehicle in the FBI's inventory" prompted the agency to request military armored vehicles "to give FBI personnel adequate protection from the .50 caliber rifles" and other more powerful weapons the Branch Davidians might have had."

Not to dredge up old arguments or sidetrack the conversation, but the Davidian .50 calibre rifles were being shown at a gun show, not at the Waco compound, on February 28, 1993. The weapons weren't even available to be fired at any mysterious men who may have been hiding in horse trailors.

[JRandomFreeper]

I paid $2,400 for a single-shot AR-50. I paid $(my Wife can't see this) for a Leuopold Mark IV scope. I waited 6 months to get ammo from Arizona Ammunition. A criminal would use a swiped .22 or 9mm. Much easier. And cheaper.

/john

[krogers58]

M82A1A .50 Caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle

Manufacturers: Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. and Unertl
Length: 57 inches (144.78 centimeters)
Barrel length: 29 inches (73.67 cm)
Weight: 32.5 pounds (14.75 kilograms) (unloaded)
Bore diameter: 12.7mm (.50 Caliber)
Maximum effective range on equipment-sized targets: 1800 meters
Muzzle velocity: 2800 feet (854 meters) per second
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost: $6,000

Features: The M82A1A is a semi-automatic, air cooled, box magazine fed rifle chambered for the .50 caliber, M2 Browning Machine Gun cartridge (.50 BMG or 12.7 x 99mm NATO). This rifle operates by means of the short recoil principle. The weapon system is comprised of the rifle (M82A1A) with a Unertl 10-power scope and an additional box magazine. The system comes packed in its own watertight, airtight carrying case with an air release valve for aircraft transportation and the requisite cleaning rod and brushes. The basic M82A1A rifle is equipped with bipod, muzzle brake, carrying handle, metallic sights, and 10-round box magazine. There is also a back pack for cross country transport and a bandolier for extra magazines is available.

Background: The M82A1A is designed to provide commanders the tactical option of employing snipers with an anti-materiel weapon to augment the present anti-personnel M40A1 7.62mm weapon. The rifle is manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Incorporated of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The scope is manufactured by Unertl to match the trajectory of .50 caliber Raufoss Grade A (DODIC A606), which is the standard operational round.

Manufacturer's Website