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.
Some are semiautomatic, and have 10 round magazines. 10 rounds in 10 seconds is doable. Maybe not real accurately though. The recoil, even with muzzle brakes and such, is still significant, and getting back on target might take a bit longer than a second.
Hey, when I’m wrong on an issue I admit it. Thanks for the post.
--for another interesting figure, obtain the number of .30 caliber rounds shipped to the Pacific 1941-45, then divide it by the number of enemy casualties attributed to small arms fire in that period of time--
Apparently you’re not following this thread.
I’m not the one that came up with that figure.
I just challenged it.
Moreover, you could apply your ideas to all of the amendments and to the constitution. You believe it is a “living document”. I have to admit I’m not sure why you are a FReeper.
Your belief in Freedom of Speech is outdated and antiquated. This is 2008, not 1776.
Inalienable rights to own a weapon of that power? You truly belief that God would espouse the ownership of such a weapon in the hands of anyone and everyone? Wow. Such arrogance
You're the only ahole here who presumes to speak for God. We are discussing the Bill of Rights, not whether God wants us to have .50 cals.
I guess you’ve come late to the party. You might want to read later on into the thread and then post some comments. Enjoy.
Nothing bad has happened to them yet. Not a single jack booted thug who participated in the gross violations of the citizens' constitutional rights has been prosecuted. As far as I know few if any of the firearms stolen by the police in their role as home invasion robbers have been returned.
Tell me how it's going to end badly for them unless some NO citizen, tired of arrogant ignorant tyranny posing as representative government, takes condign second amendment action ala Reinhardt Heidrich?
Sorry that I don’t read all 400 posts before replying and before I read that you realized that you sounded like a fool. Congrats for figuring it out. Some people never do.
Really, it’s not a problem. I knew from your post that you hadn’t had time yet to catch up, and that’s to be expected. That’s why I didn’t bite back. Yes, I did sound like a fool initially. Then stopped and realized what side I didn’t want to be one. I may one day need to be armed to defend my family and friends and neighbors.
None that I care to make public. I think that they do have lawsuits pending against them for the return of the firearms, but Hmmm The abused citizens seek relief from tyrannical government from the selfsame tyrannical government. Don't think that's going to go very far.
There isn't any symmetry in the abuse and relief. take for example the egregious Duke lacross case. The railroaded Lacross players could have gotten 20 years in prison for a wholly fictional crime. The ho who made the whole thing up faced NO consequences. Nifong spent ONE NIGHT in jail and has a flock of judgements against him, but he is essentially judgement proof. The police who conspired with Nifong in the frame up have faced NO consequences. Likewise I would be astonished if any of the government malefactors from New Orleans faced any consequences for their actions and I would be almost as surprised if the the home invasion robbery victims got their property back.
I personally think that government officials who abuse the rights of citizens should get a far WORSE punishment for their actions than an ordinary citizen would for similar actions because of the disproportionate threat represented by the government.
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