Long Beach "Large Caliber Ban" Defeated

NRA Members' Councils of California ^ | 12/17/2003 | NRA Members' Councils of California

[Mike Haas]

NRA Members' Councils of California

Please Distribute Widely To All Gun Owners/Groups
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NRA MEMBERS' COUNCILS OF CALIFORNIA
12/17/2003
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Long Beach "Large Caliber Ban" Defeated

On 11/4, the Long Beach City Council passed the FIRST READING of the .50 cal ban ordinance. However, the SECOND READING was voted down on 12/16, and the ordinance placed on "indefinite hold".

To quote one of NRA's attorneys, this vote represents "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat... Please now turn your attention to Contra Costa County, scheduled to consider it in January. We need to keep up the momentum!"

On the NRA Members' Council's email list this morning, NRA's top CA attorney Chuck Michel noted this victory has state-wide implications as another attack on .50-cals is expected from the legislature next year. 2003 marks the second year we've beaten back this atrocity at the state-level (this year it didn't even get out of committee!). These local defeats indicate gun control CAN be defeated whereever gun-owners work together to fight it - at the state OR local level. You can become more involved and hook-up with other NRA members in your area at:
http://NRAMembersCouncils.com/volunteer/

Chuck also reminds us to now focus on Contra Costa County, where the same ill-advised action is being attempted (and where a freshly-drafted county .50 ban has yet to emerge from the county attorney's office, now mysteriously delayed OVER TWO MONTHS!). See http://NRAMembersCouncils.com/contracosta/.

Gun-owners have definitely turned a corner in California - 2003 was the first time in over 5 years we've actually passed some pro-gun laws WHILE defeating the anti-gun ones. We even forced them to compromise on SB-489 (the only bad bill they were able to squeeze through - and it was close!). http://NRAMembersCouncils.com/caspecial/sum2003.shtml

More info at:

http://NRAMembersCouncils.com/legs.shtml
...and...
http://CalGunLaws.com/article-422.html

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[templar]

Yeah, but why do people NEED a .50 cal

Because a 20mm has too much recoil?

[Boiling point]

I am fortunate enough to live about a mile down the same road as Ronny Barrett, (yes that Barrett) and know folks that work there. Anyway, I digress. If ownership of a legal (And only constitutionally protected) consumer product is based on someones perceived need, then we could ban speed boats, jet skies, DVD players, or whatever. I myself believe in the old adage: It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Smokin' Joe]

Not as loud as a 20mm cannon?

[Blue Collar Christian]

Thanks for the update, Mike.

[Smokin' Joe]

Beeyootiful! Just beeyootiful!

[Boiling point]

I am fortunate enough to live about a mile down the same road as Ronny Barrett, (yes that Barrett) and know folks that work there. Anyway, I digress. If ownership of a legal (And only constitutionally protected) consumer product is based on someones perceived need, then we could ban speed boats, jet skies, DVD players, or whatever. I myself believe in the old adage: It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Smokin' Joe]

It was the M2, first round hit the bicycle the guy was pushing (loaded down). He emptied his AK all around, then the second round finished it. I don't recall reading where Gunny Hathcock was shooting from, though.

[neverdem]

Thank you, Gentlemen

A ouija board tells me I can use that term without offending a lady.

[rmh47]

Yeah, but why do people NEED a .50 cal

I saw your emoticon, and I know you are kidding. But that question, or a variation of it, comes up frequently, and, thus, needs an answer.

About ten years ago, shortly before the "assault weapons" ban was passed, I was asked a similar question by my brother-in-law (the question was actually, "Who needs an Uzi?"), and I couldn't come up with a good answer. As a result of that experience, I gave the question considerable thought. I eventually realized that the question is illegitimate.

If the government wishes to limit my activities, it needs to prove a compelling reason to do so. I am not required to justify my actions; the burden of proof rests solely upon those who wish to limit (or compel) my behavior. The default position should always favor personal freedom.

Nevertheless, one of the best counters to this argument is to point out that all one really "needs" is a fifth floor walkup one room apartment heated to 50 degrees; a small potato, piece of carrot, and some cabbage boiled for your supper; and a cloth coat and study pair of shoes to walk to the bus stop to get to work. The Soviet Union did an excellent job of providing just that for its citizens, but they seemed to want more.

Also, use the same reasoning but substitue the person's preferred activity: boating, fishing, skydiving, motorcycling, collecting, travel, pets, etc. The hope is that they will see the illegitimacy of the question.

[Squantos]

Just something to fill that void in the gun safe between 49 and 51 caliber.......

Stay Safe !

[Hank Rearden]

Yeah, but why do people NEED a .50 cal

Because when I shoot the 55-gal drum in my backyard with any of my current calibers, the dam thing refuses to fall over.

I want it to fall over.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Got his book on my shelf right here. Also, right after the Iraq war (or right before it, I can't remember) a Canadian sniper team using a borrowed .50 BMG rifle made a confirmed kill of over 2700 meters in Afghanistan beating Gunny Hathcock's 37 year old record. If the gunny would have had a high precision rifle like the Canadians were using instead of a Ma Deuce, I bet that the current record would be well over 3000 yards and that the gunny would be holding it still.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Here are some links

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?s=sniper+canadian&ok=Search&q=deep&m=all&o=time&SX=3fe1afa5be2a0713ad4a32d110e3c7cc71cac83c

The first few are irrelevant but a little down there are several articles. BTW, it was 2700 yards, not meters that the shot was made from.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is MUCH cheaper to reload. You can probably reload the .50 S&W for $0.15 to $0.50 each depending on the bullet you use.

[boris]

I'm perfectly happy with my Ruger .480 I bought last year.

I presume if they ban .50's the .480 will remain 'legal'...

[absalom01]

Good news, but prompts me to wonder who is behind all of these nearly identical local ordinances? It's clearly coordinated, and costing money, so there's got to be an identifiable, organized group providing the impetus for these things. Does anyone know?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET


We Citizen-Activists:

1) Defeated the CLINTONS' push to have their Friend Long Beach Mayor BEVERLY O'NEAL turn our U.S. Long Beach Navy Base over to the Communist Chinese for the China Army Money flowing thru HILLARY's Palms.

2) Defeated the CLINTONS' push to have their Friend Long Beach Mayor BEVERLY O'NEAL deny Americans their right to bear arms against our enemies one step at a time.

The Enemy is now Within...
and always has been.


NEVER FORGET

[Darksheare]

Because some critters can take 2000 foot pounds of damage and still have you for breakfast.

Besides, the Stryker civilian control vehicle is vulnerable to 50 cal rounds.
Banning said rounds would in effect open the door to abuses of power with impunity.
Some would say that this is tinfoil hat stuff, but why be stupid and leave the door open for the possibility of above mentioned to occur?

[TigersEye]

Yeah, but why do people NEED a .50 cal?

I live in a very bad neigborhood but the houses are spaced far apart.

[Charles Martel]

Yeah, but why do people NEED a .50 cal

For bragging rights at the monthly Torque and Recoil Society meetings, of course. :-)

The fact that some of our "ruling elite" are scared sh!tless of the things is mere icing on the fifty-caliber cake, IMHO.