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.
Leave my hybrid out of this. LOL
That was a good post and I appreciate your invite to SoldierDad.
You know, there are times when I make a comment about a subject without thinking it out. It doesn’t mean that I’m totally ignorant on the subject, it just means I didn’t put my thinking cap on, and as soon as someone responded I realize how off base I was.
I think SoldierDad falls in that category, rather than not understanding the issue at all.
Thanks for the good post.
We all need time to renew our belief systems from time to time.
Full Auto shoot near Little Rock? Please put me on the ping list.
I tend to take the position that any weapon that any "law enforcement" agency has available for use (including SWAT and federal agents), should also be available to civilians. Conversely, no weapon that is banned for civilian use should be available to law enforcement
Perhaps that would slow down the creeping militarization of our police forces.
My estimate? I never thought of it all that quantitatively before, but I’ve been to local machine gun shoots where there were at least a dozen Ma deuces (ground mount, but I know at least two of them have AA mounts for the things). I do know that there are about 300,000 autos registered, and I GUESSING that about 10% are .50s
Correction noted.
Be aware that mistakes travel faster & farther than corrections.
I agree, and if for no other reason than to see good rebuttals to SoldierDad’s post, I think it actually spurred a lot of good discussion, all be it at his expense.
I’m thinking SoldierDad sucked us in here, but I could be wrong. ;-)
I repectfully meant no foul by my replies.
FReegards
I recall both of those CO stories.
Stop It! Catch up.
I understand where you are coming from. And I agree with you. I do think it is somewhat questionable to make some comments in an open forum, because when the other side comes through looking for something to take out of context, it can feed their efforts.
I have done it on this thread, so I’m not trying to take you to task for something I’m not as guilty of as you are.
It’s a somewhat frustrating subject to discuss if you catch my drift.
The whole concept that government or the police could do something wrong is so foreign to some people.
Generally I am very supportive of law enforcement. Then there are times when I think you have to address what down sides there can be, which is what you and I were doing on this thread.
Thanks for your comments.
That was very well stated, and I fully agree. Thank you.
I laugh in your face, idiot!
How’s the kid doin’ anyway?
(Yes, we’re glad you saw the light!)
A bullet that could do that would make the Warren Commission proud.
What do ya say admin? Can we strike this blemish from this FReeper’s name so that he does not continue to get flamed?
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