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Honolulu PD, NRA Square Off On Rifle Debate
KITV-4 (Hawaii) ^ | 2/22/08 | n/a

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.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; US: Hawaii
KEYWORDS: 50bmg; bang; banglist; hawaii; hi; nra; secondamendment
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To: kiriath_jearim
The rifle can fire 10 rounds in 10 seconds, and the bullets can travel for miles, police officials said.

The .50 caliber rifle available to civilians are single-shot...hardly capable of firing 10 rounds in 10 seconds. Shooting down airplanes four miles away...lol.

21 posted on 02/25/2008 8:49:21 AM PST by Mogollon (Vote straight GOP for congress....our only protection against Obama-Clinton, or McCain.)
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To: kiriath_jearim
Show me a human who can hit a moving aircraft at 4 miles wiht a 50 and I will buy him the best steak dinner and woman the land has to offer. It just does not happen and the quoted General is an idiot if he thinks it does. During WW2 it took thousands of rounds of 50 cal to bring down a plane flying straight at you within 1,000 yards.
22 posted on 02/25/2008 8:49:51 AM PST by mad_as_he$$ (John McCain - The Manchurian Candidate? http://www.usvetdsp.com/manchuan.htm)
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To: SoldierDad
Well, lets see,

Other than the pure excitement of a .44 handgun, does it serve any legit purpose?

Other than the pure excitement of shooting a AR, does it have any legit purpose?

Other than the pure excitement of shooting a muzzle loader .50, does it have any legit purpose?

Just whom do you wish to empower with the power to decide what is a legit purpose?

23 posted on 02/25/2008 8:49:51 AM PST by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: jaydubya2

Yes, in the article it states $8,000 each. That alone is going to weed out most of your riff raff.


24 posted on 02/25/2008 8:50:19 AM PST by DoughtyOne (We've got Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dumb & Tweedle Dumber left. Name them in order. I dare ya.)
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To: SoldierDad

Out of curiousity- wouldn’t that place civilians into an inferior position in the event of a coup?

I say civilians should have access to every advantage in firearms that our military has.


25 posted on 02/25/2008 8:50:53 AM PST by MacDorcha (Arm yourself!)
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To: kittycatonline.com
"I'm sure the Police State will have it's way."


I'm sure in Hawaii it will.


26 posted on 02/25/2008 8:51:24 AM PST by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
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To: SoldierDad

I would be in support of this weapon not being available for civilian purchase.


Why?

27 posted on 02/25/2008 8:51:38 AM PST by EdReform (The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed *NRA*JPFO*SAF*GOA*SAS*RWVA)
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To: Mogollon

Exactly. I noticed that wonderful comment too.

Those opposed to the weapons sound almost hysterical.


28 posted on 02/25/2008 8:51:50 AM PST by DoughtyOne (We've got Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dumb & Tweedle Dumber left. Name them in order. I dare ya.)
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To: XeniaSt
This is a Bold faced lie !

It sure is and it's not the only lie in the article. Argggggg.

29 posted on 02/25/2008 8:52:16 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: SoldierDad

You don’t sound like a soldier’s dad.


30 posted on 02/25/2008 8:52:35 AM PST by caver (Yes, I did crawl out of a hole in the ground.)
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To: Emperor Palpatine; Puppage

I believe he sai “A” bullet hole.

It usually took a few dozen to bring down an aircraft.


31 posted on 02/25/2008 8:53:17 AM PST by MacDorcha (Arm yourself!)
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To: Emperor Palpatine
It did on almost all Japanese planes during the war.

Yeah, hundreds of rounds into a 60+ year old prop plane. Not a great comparison.

Have you ever seen the "hole tests" performed on modern jetliners, hmm?

32 posted on 02/25/2008 8:54:09 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: SoldierDad
You really want to start down that slippery slope? Perhaps you should get a cup of coffee, sit down, and (re)read the Constitution.
33 posted on 02/25/2008 8:54:44 AM PST by Oorang (Tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people - Alex Kozinski)
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To: DoughtyOne
I sorry you had to find it for me, I should have seen at the first read, (admitted skimming)

Yea, I would think an $8000 price tag would eliminate it for most all criminals.
34 posted on 02/25/2008 8:54:49 AM PST by jaydubya2
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To: SoldierDad

Any other of my rights you see fit to give away?


35 posted on 02/25/2008 8:55:46 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: XeniaSt
This is a Bold faced lie !

And a lie that has been perpetuated many many times since the VTech shooting.

36 posted on 02/25/2008 8:56:08 AM PST by Domandred (McCain's 'R' is a typo that has never been corrected)
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To: Puppage

I was just making a point. Japanese planes had no armor at all. one shot into the tanks or engine and they became flaming tniderboxes.

However what about explosive decompression if said jetliner is at altitude?

Although personally I no longer fly commercially. I prefer the train.

;-)


37 posted on 02/25/2008 8:57:36 AM PST by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
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To: kiriath_jearim
but in most states, a person can buy it over the Internet

Really? Wow! Please post website!

38 posted on 02/25/2008 8:58:21 AM PST by pabianice
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To: SoldierDad
Other than the pure excitement of shooting such a weapon, does this gun have any legitimate purpose for civilian use? I would be in support of this weapon not being available for civilian purchase.

First they came for my neighbor's 50 caliber rifle, and I said nothing.

Then they came for my neighbor's 50 caliber pistol, and I said nothing...

You can finish the rest without me, as I am now unarmed.

39 posted on 02/25/2008 8:58:31 AM PST by USS Alaska (Nuke the terrorist savages - In Honor of Standing Wolf)
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To: MPJackal

Cupcakes have killed more people in South Wales than .50s have killed 5-0s in Hawaii.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1975953/posts


40 posted on 02/25/2008 8:59:11 AM PST by MacDorcha (Arm yourself!)
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