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Conyers Calls for Sniper Rifle Probe (Suprise!)
(AP) ^

Posted on 10/10/2002 6:26:34 PM PDT by Dallas

WASHINGTON --

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee called on federal officials Thursday to investigate the marketing of sniper rifles, saying the weapons "pose a real danger to the civilian population."

The request from Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., came as the Washington metropolitan area was being terrorized by a string of nine shootings, including seven deaths, by what police believe to be an elusive gunman. Each of the victims was hit by a single bullet fired from a distance, using a military-style rifle or hunting rifle.

Conyers wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the marketing of military rifles to the American public. "There is no legitimate purpose for a military rifle than to make war," Conyers said. "There is no reason these rifles should be marketed to civilians."

Conyers complained that ads for military style rifles boast of being able to shoot down airplanes and helicopters, and shooting through armored vehicles. "Sniper rifles pose a real danger to the civilian population," he said.

The FTC opened an investigation into the marketing of violent movies, music and video games to children after a series of school shootings, including the Littleton, Colo., massacre at Columbine High School in which two students killed 13 people before committing suicide, Conyers said.

The FTC said it would consider the request.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: hugggs
It looks like gun control is becoming a class warfare issue. If so, upper-middle class always wins and lower class loses.

You don't see the issue very well at all.

First, you don't understand the Constitution and the Second Amendment.

Next, you are a bigot.

After that, you don't understand the those "gun nuts" are more than likely very well-to-do, not dirt-poor 'redneck' trailer trash.

Who the F do you think shoot competitions, buy big game safaris, and shoot class III's and .50 cal BMG's?

IF you were really a combat arms type, you would realize the importance of gun control in invading and occupying any country.

Perhaps you are actively working for this country to be disarmed and open to hostile occupation?

61 posted on 10/13/2002 10:06:07 AM PDT by Eagle Eye
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To: MJY1288
It's like trying to blame the Penis for the rape.

Good analogy, but don't give them any ideas.


BUMP

62 posted on 10/13/2002 10:12:50 AM PDT by tm22721
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To: hugggs
So you'll sacrifice my safety, my family's safety, the Second Amendment, and take away the defense of last resort against an out-of-control Executive Branch, all for your own selfish reasons. How nice of you.
63 posted on 10/13/2002 10:30:59 AM PDT by Teacher317
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Comment #64 Removed by Moderator

To: Dallas
The weapon being used is, from what I can determine, in the .223 to 22-250 range; basically a suped up 22 cartrage. The 22-250 is a varmint rifle; I know someone who uses one for fox.

If he wants to see something more like a true sniper rifle, I could show him my 303 Enfield, vintage WWI. Not a true sniper rifle, but very accurate (and scoped), and packs a good punch.

However, I wouldn't show this guy a gun; he never saw one he didn't want to take away (unless it is in the hands of a criminal)!

MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/
65 posted on 10/13/2002 12:18:04 PM PDT by logic101.net
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To: Dallas
I could see this coming... First, we can't have semi-auto assault weapons, because they "have a high firing rate". Then we have some serial killer, but he takes out his victims with "one shot". Kneejerk reaction: We've got to outlaw "highly-accurate" weapons.

I suppose that leaves us with single-shot, non-rifled barrels... like circa 1776.

Jeeesh. And the democraps cried foul for Bush politicizing the War on Terror?

66 posted on 10/13/2002 12:25:37 PM PDT by TheEngineer
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To: hugggs
Civilians don't NEED guns.

I don't NEED a Corvette either, but I do have a right to own one.

The Second Amendment talks about "militia" rather than private citizens. I have no problem with National Guard weapons.

To quote Jeff Cooper:
"The qualifying phrase of the Second Amendment refers to a well-regulated militia. A well-regulated militia calls for men who can 'shoot and salute' in Pershing's phrase. Since the militia, in the terms of George Mason, is made up of the 'whole people,' it would seem that the whole people should be well-qualified in the use of the national personal arm, which at this point is the M16. Thus, if we are to follow that line of thought, everybody should be qualified on the M16, which is in the eyes of some people, a machine gun. What a shocking thought."

There are two kinds of people: those who will handle guns responsibly and those who will abuse the privilige.

I don't believe for one moment that the solution to firearm deaths is to confiscate the firearms of the law abiding citizen. If you believe differently please see England and Austraila's recent crime rates.

67 posted on 10/13/2002 1:07:02 PM PDT by alaskanfan
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To: Eagle Eye
Huh? I didn't say that.
68 posted on 10/13/2002 1:58:33 PM PDT by dirtboy
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Comment #69 Removed by Moderator

To: hugggs
This is unacceptable. There are two kinds of people: those who will handle guns responsibly and those who will abuse the privilige. There is no practical way to distinguish between the two.

So you're gonna punish potential lawbreaking? Tom Cruise did that movie this summer. It was meant to be cautionary.

Criminal background checks will not do it. The only solution I see is deny access to guns to everyone.

Myopia is curable.

Civilians don't NEED guns.

Yes they do. Quite often, to defend themselves.

The image of a solitary patriot defending liberty against government is pure fantasy.

Try telling that to the folks making their stand in the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. A few guns held off the Nazis for six weeks.

You wouldn't stand a chance against military weaponry. For evidence, see Afghanistan.

The Taliban were done in by armed opposition on the ground - the Northern Alliance. We greased the skids.

The Second Amendment talks about "militia" rather than private citizens. I have no problem with National Guard weapons.

The National Guard did not exist when the Bill of Rights was passed. Try reading up on history and 2nd A scholarship and get back to us.

You have a crusader mentality - someone does something to you, and you therefore want to deny rights to EVERYONE. That is the mark of a small mind.

70 posted on 10/13/2002 2:03:52 PM PDT by dirtboy
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To: Dallas
John Conyers: Kept house SERVANT of the liberal elites. (Note to Admin-Moderator: NOW will you let my post stay? LOL.)
71 posted on 10/13/2002 2:12:41 PM PDT by BenR2
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To: c-b 1
Maybe Conyers is not as stupid as we think, he in typical Communist fashion is exploiting tragic events, using them to frame the debate. What is or is not a sniper rifle is irrellevant, he is using these events to villify "sniper rifles" leaving the descripton open ended, so anything can fall into the category.

That is exactly right. In fact, it's so right I felt compelled to repeat it in bold Italians.

Unfortunately, we aren't up against morons. They know exactly what they're doing and they do it very well. In my 65 year lifetime they have succeeded in enacting restrictions on gun ownership and usage that Americans living in the 1940's and '50's would not have believed possible in the U.S. We underestimate them at our peril.

72 posted on 10/13/2002 2:48:19 PM PDT by epow
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To: dirtboy
I know, I was just making an observation in your direction.
73 posted on 10/17/2002 5:50:52 PM PDT by Eagle Eye
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To: hugggs
I disagree with your depiction of gun enthusiasts as well-to-do types shooting BMGs

No, I depicted 50 BMG shooters as being better well off than average citizens. Most gun enthusiasts have more disposible income than do average people. Collecting and shooting firearms is not an inexpensive hobby.

I used to work for a West Texas supermarket chain which had a gun counter in front of a few stores. On display were reasonable medium-priced models, mostly handguns selling for $300-500. But that's not what sold. Sales data revealed that 90% of sales were a .25 cal handgun made in Eastern Europe, selling for $50. We sold hundreds of them per week. Out of curiosity who was buying these junk guns, I hung around a counter for a few hours. Buyers were all housewives .. buying defensive weapons out of fear, paranoia.

What you have done is bolster my case. You have NOT described gun enthusiasts at all, but ignorant, uninformed, fearful people who buy the cheapest gun they can get. You definately did not describe gun enthusiasts.

You pretty much are a bigot and don't know dick about gun enthusiasts.

74 posted on 10/17/2002 6:02:12 PM PDT by Eagle Eye
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To: Dallas
Sniper rifles pose a real danger to the civilian population," he said.

Conyers poses a real danger to ALL US citizens.

75 posted on 10/17/2002 6:08:16 PM PDT by FormerLurker
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