Posted on 02/25/2008 8:38:35 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
A battle is brewing between the Honolulu Police Department and the Hawaii Rifle Association over a proposed ban of a high-powered sniper rifle.
KITV's Catherine Cruz reported that the 50-caliber rifle is dubbed the most powerful rifle on the market today, and the HPD said it is their worst nightmare. That is why they said they want it out of civilian hands.
It's a weapon that's long been used by the military and law enforcement, but in most states, a person can buy it over the Internet or from a gun store, which is making law enforcement uneasy.
"There is nothing we have that can withstand this. If you look at an armored car, those things have a half-inch of steel. These can go through 1 inch of steel at a thousand yards," HPD Major Gregory Lefcourt said.
The rifle can fire 10 rounds in 10 seconds, and the bullets can travel for miles, police officials said.
They said that a shot fired from the rooftop at police headquarters could precisely hit a target at the state Capitol, four-tenths of a mile away.
The National Guard calls the weapon a threat to homeland security.
"It does concern us -- shooting down airplanes four miles distances," Hawaii National Guard Gen.Gary Ishikawa said.
The National Rifle Association said that a ban would infringe on the right to bear arms. It argued that the weapon hasn't ever been used in a crime in the islands.
"We haven't had any incidents of robbers at banks or terrorist shooting airplanes -- it just doesn't happen," HRA member Mark Plischke said.
But police said they don't want to wait until then.
They said the proposed ban will die in the judiciary committee if they don't get enough public support for the bill.
The rifles are outlawed for civilian use in California, New Jersey and New York.
The HRA maintained that their members use it for hunting or eradicating goats. Others users of the rifle said they enter long range firing competitions
The rifle is so powerful that it has been banned from the Kokohead Firing Range, range officials said. The rifle is only allowed at military ranges, which are off limits to civilians.
It is also very expensive. One rifle will fetch about $8,000, officials said.
There are 125 registered owners of the high-powered rifle in the state, with 90 owners living on Oahu.
--mine being, in response to those who maintain that "one bullet from a .50 cal rifle can bring down a plane", that during WW2 , 12000 rounds of .50BMG were expended per enemy plane shot down---
Ha! Yeah sure, if you've got $130 million lying around the house, go for it. Not to mention the maintenance crew and ordinance that you've have to maintain to keep it.
If a civilian can afford all that and has tens of thousands of square miles of private land to fire the ord, why not?
Thanks. That’s a good point. The Fifty Cal wouldn’t cross most people’s minds, except that the govenrment frequently brings it up to parade it around as an issue. If they’d shut up about it, very few people would even consider purchasing one.
Why not?
‘legitimate purpose for civilian use’
ugh
There is always the “golden bb” effect, but that’s not something to reasonable base one’s tactics on. :)
You want an F-22? Abrams? Aircraft carrier? Go right ahead! If you can afford it and find a willing seller, it’s yours with just an additional $200 tax and a couple sheets of easy paperwork.
I know someone selling a 90mm cannon. $125,000 and it’s yours.
I was thinking 12,000 rounds for a WWII type fighter is a lot of weight and space, that’s all....I guess an A-10 warthog carries more.
Oh come now - that's not hard at all with what's in the closets of 1/4th of all Americans. Admittedly not a trivial shot, but easily & reliably achieved with a couple days' practice with a common bolt-action scoped '30-06 or .308!
Well at least you did not start ranting about flamethrowers and bazookas. The Brady group must have revamped their talking points booklet...............
100 rounds per can = 2 1/2 cans for 250 rnds.
Is it lost on you that this is a 100% gun rights forum? We have no use for people who would outlaw semi-automatic rifles here. Please leave.
Just like any other firearm.
But you can in fact buy one online and have it sent to a local dealer to complete the transfer.
Even the single shot versions run $3,000 or more.
Ah, the "Living Constitution" argument.
How about you come and play poker at my house then. We can have "living rules" and I get to "interpret" them. Bring lots of cash.
Bump.
Some idiots don’t get it.
ordinance = ordnance
The Second Amendment states ‘arms’, not ‘firearms’. Why can’t I own a small mortar?
"We haven't had any incidents of robbers at banks or terrorist shooting airplanes -- it just doesn't happen," HRA member Mark Plischke said.
But police said they don't want to wait until then.
Quick! We must outlaw all chemistry classes! People can learn to make explosives in them! What a nightmare! Never mind that people AREN'T using their basic knowledge of chemistry to make explosives! We don't want to wait until someone DOES!
Other BEM (Booger Eating Moron) remarks by the PD... That these rifles are capable of accurately hitting a target 4/10 of a mile away... That would be 704 yards... I would hate to inform them that there are LOTS of rifles that can accurately hit a target 700+ yards away... Should all of them be banned? And what about those calibers that are still dangerous at ranges like that and beyond? I seem to recall reading a .22LR box that warned the rounds were dangerous out to 1.5 miles... More than 3 times the distance that this BEM is having nightmares over.
Finally, yes... The .50BMG is used as an anti-aircraft weapon... When fired from an M-2 machine gun. The odds of hitting a flying airplane with a 4' long, 30 pound semi-auto rifle would be on order of miraculous. Sheer idiocy. But what else should we expect. They need to demonize one firearm just to get their nose in the tent.
Mark
LOL! That almost cost me a monitor!
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.