I'm sure in Hawaii it will.
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.
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.
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?
Yes, in the article it states $8,000 each. That alone is going to weed out most of your riff raff.
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.
I would be in support of this weapon not being available for civilian purchase.
Why?
Exactly. I noticed that wonderful comment too.
Those opposed to the weapons sound almost hysterical.
It sure is and it's not the only lie in the article. Argggggg.
You don’t sound like a soldier’s dad.
I believe he sai “A” bullet hole.
It usually took a few dozen to bring down an aircraft.
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?
Any other of my rights you see fit to give away?
And a lie that has been perpetuated many many times since the VTech shooting.
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.
;-)
Really? Wow! Please post website!
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.
Cupcakes have killed more people in South Wales than .50s have killed 5-0s in Hawaii.
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