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.
Another FYI, I have posted that McCain is not my preference for a Presidential Candidate. He’s not my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 20th choice. I’m still hoping that the GOP finds someone else to nominate.
“Just like any other firearm.”
Correct. Too bad the media hasn’t figured that out yet. They think you can go to a gun show or buy guns on the net without having state and federal laws apply.
I’m not having a good start to this week. I should have know that.
Does this mean I cannot acknowledge my mistake and then move on from there? I agree with you and do not advocate banning any firearm. What more would you have me do?
Let's see what we can do to educate instead of denigrate.
My impression of your attitude is that you have no problem with rights being restricted, as long as they are not rights that you personally feel inclined to exercise
How would you respond to a statement to the effect of "I never stated I wanted you assaulted, but would not have a problem with somebody doing so"?
I personally do not hunt. However, I will help defend the rights of those who do. I personally do not feel like burning the American flag, however I will defend the right of those who do (as long as it's their personally-purchased flag, and not mine, that is!). In exchange, I desire that those whose rights I help defend, shall help defend mine
You are still catching heat from those reading the first page, and posting. It’ll take ‘em a bit before they get around to the 200+ posts.
No. I acknowlege your retraction. I was just trying ti illuminate why you got the level of response you did. Sorry, just trying to make all these post make more sense if it seemed extreme.
Interesting story. I was just reading about it last week.
This is one of the things that scares me about Obama (and Hitlery for that matter). We DO need to fight against this.
Like I said - poor thinking on my part. I do acknowledge that the flaming was legitimate.
Technically, an airgun is not a “firearm”. So you’re safe. Who makes that thing anyway, and how much do they run?
I would suggest that a man who is too dangerous to be allowed to own a gun, is too dangerous to be loose on the streets. If we're saying that allowing Joe to own a gun would present a risk to the community, wouldn't the community be served by Joes continued absence?
This isn't really their fault as they literally don't know any better. In those cases where we can change that perception, we need to seize the opportunity. It's why some of us do "take a friend to the range" days. Find a complete N3wbie and run 'em through a fun shoot. School 'em on basic safety and let them blast away some of your ammo supply.
I've changed more than one mind doing that. The Gods willing, I'll be able to do it again soon...
Anyone that went online to purchase any gun would soon find out that you still have to have it shipped to a local dealer to get the paperwork done.
But its still a fact that you can find/buy anything you are looking for online and are no longer limited to what dealers in your local area have in stock.
That is a major improvement from what limited selections were an option a few short years ago. Nothing is gained by trying to keep that a secret.
BOR= Bill of Rights
His ordeal sounded a lot like Carl Drega’s.
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