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.
Then you need a serious history lesson.
Oh look, it's the 'Well-Regulated Militia' weighing in on what private citizens' rights ought to be limited to.
Now, if you'll excuse him, General Gary has to catch the next flight to Kosovo.
Wow... How’d you make it this long without outting yourself as a DUmmy?
I agree completely, unfortunately, not counting the plethora of weapons systems unavailable to civilians, the 1986 gun law shut off newer machine guns and thus sealed the fate of citizens vis a vis run-a-muck government, and equal armament.
How does it feel when third world dictators can be better armed than the good folks in this country who are more principled than the rest of the world, and the founding fathers knew it. Our government in some cases is our own worst enemy.
“”It does concern us — shooting down airplanes four miles distances,” Hawaii National Guard Gen.Gary Ishikawa said.”
Either Ishikawa is G*d’s own marksman, as no other mortal man can shoot anywhere like that, or he is another of the Democrap population in Hawaii.
Another possibility is that he has eaten fugu at the wrong restaurant, and washed it down with too much Kool-Ade.
In any case, tie his sleeves tight and bundle him off to the rubber room folks.
I use mine for interstate squirrel hunting! ;)
W/E. Believe what you may. I don’t buy into the fears that some on this thread are trying to sell.
It's classified as a small arm by federal law, and notwithstanding the fact that I can't afford one, I want one.
I've lived "well into middle age" and never been in any kind of trouble with the law. Tell me why I shouldn't have one, except for the fact that I don't have the budget for it.
BTW, the other firearms that I particularly want right now is a Ruger LCP semiauto handgun in .380 automatic. Are you going to likewise have a problem with it being "too small and concealable" or some such thing?
The only “fear mongers” here are nitwits like you trying to ban a perfectly serviceable firearm for the most inaccurate and specious reasons I’ve ever heard.
When was the last time a cop in Hawaii was shot with a 50 cal sniper rifle?”
When was the last time a civilian was shot in Hawaii with a 50 cal sniper rifle?????
You and Sara Brady and every other gun grabbing jackboot licking a$$hole. You sure that's the company you want to keep?
Well, so much for the idiotic belief in Freedom of Speech. I'm being flamed for practicing mine. I guess it's only when you have the same point of view of others that that Freedom is allowed.
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.
I've seen 'conservatives' like you before and wonder what it is that you think you're actually trying to conserve.
"Oh no, we must ban rifles because some Mexicans might come across the border, buy them, and then shoot us!"
Some great patriot you are. I guess you're one of those country club Republicans that's only in it for the money though you don't really care whose face is on your bills or the reasons why.
You know, there's other political sites on the net where you'd be lots more comfortable with your squishy modernist-moderatism. Go give USA Today or CNN's message boards a try. We're committed to rolling back liberalism here on FR.
So, which side of that equation does that put you on?
Also, Jehova was known for nuking cities, flooding the entire planet, and visiting plagues on entire populations. A .50 cal rifle would be insignificant.
I would not object to a ban on 50 caliber rifles IF THEY GAVE US SOMETHING BACK IN RETURN!
For instance, full auto assault rifles, full auto machine pistols, full auto shotguns, grenade launchers, short barreled rifles and short barreled shotguns. Give me those things back without a special permit requirement, and I’ll give up the 50 caliber rifle.
Without those rights restored first, they can take their 50 caliber ban and stick it!
Logic? hehehehe
The same ‘logic’ brought a slew of hand-wringing stories about mobile phone use near gas pumps and signs posted at gas stations....even though not a single incident has ever occurred.
Your post,
“Cupcakes have killed more people in South Wales than .50s have killed 5-0s in Hawaii.”
Nominated TODAY’S BEST POST.
Mahalo
The arrogant one is you.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.I'm looking for the part that says shall not be infringed "except for weapons that a tyrannical government and the fools who support them deem too powerful." I guess your copy is different from my copy because I just don't see it. In an earlier post to you I wondered if you really wanted to be lumped in with people like Sara Brady the Clintons, Obama, Carolyn McCarthy, Teddy the Fat, Adrian Fenty, the more lunitic fringe of DUers, etc. (slthough I used a general term for them rather than individuals names) but it's obvious from reading your posts that your positions are one and the smae with people like that.
Perhaps you're mistaking freedom of speech with a guaranteed friendly audience. A common trait amongst the liberal and weakminded.
So tell me, in the history of man portable rifles of this caliber (which I doubt you know), how many horrible crimes have they been used in?
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