Gun Control Group Warns of 'Sniper Subculture'

cns news ^ | 25 oct 02 | Robert B. Bluey

[white trash redneck]

An underground "sniper subculture" is brewing in the United States thanks to the aggressive marketing of so-called sniper rifles by gun manufacturers and lax gun-control regulations, according to a gun-control advocacy group.

The Violence Policy Center held a press briefing on the purported sniper subculture Thursday, only hours after police apprehended two suspects with alleged connections to the deaths of 10 people in the Washington, D.C., area. The group claims it warned of such an episode more than three years ago in its "One Shot, One Kill" report.

Tom Diaz, the group's senior policy analyst, warned that more incidents, similar to the shootings in the last three weeks, could happen unless federal and state lawmakers curb the sale of some long-guns and place new restrictions on shooting schools that teach individuals how to use firearms.

"From everything we see about the growth of books, the growth of websites, the apparent commercial success of these schools, we believe this subculture is growing," he said.

The resources available to gun owners, Diaz said, illustrate the ease with which anyone could carry out shootings similar to those in the Washington region.

"I don't know what their [snipers'] background or motivation are, but I know what they have been doing is exactly what you can learn from these books or at these schools," he said.

Police arrested John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo on federal firearms charges early Thursday morning. Authorities have not yet conclusively connected the pair to the shootings.

Joe Waldron, the executive director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said Diaz is using the shootings to advance his political agenda.

"This is another attempt by the Violence Policy Center to exploit tragedy and select buzz words that appeal to people's emotions," Waldron said. "In this case, they're saying it's the sniper subculture. Are there people who pay attention to those things? Yeah, but I don't believe it exists as an identifiable subculture."

But Diaz said one has to look no further than bookstores and the Internet to find evidence of the trend. While he does think it is appropriate to regulate schools that train gun owners, he shied away from any government interference with gun publications.

"I don't advocate for any restriction on the books and videos," Diaz said. "If people think it's morally a good thing to put these things out and if Amazon and Barnes & Noble are comfortable selling books that show how to shoot down helicopters and kill other human beings, then so be it."

He was not as lenient, though, when it came to what he termed "sniper schools," training centers that teach long-range shooting, located throughout the United States. While he said some limit training to police or military officers, others invite anyone seeking instruction to attend.

"Police and military snipers are well-screened," he said. "We have no bone to pick with them. They have an honorable and necessary profession, but we're concerned about the bleed-over into the civilian world."

Waldron said the facilities Diaz referred to have done a good job teaching people how to properly and appropriately use firearms. He added that training schools require background checks before any student is allowed to participate.

In addition, Diaz said the federal government should enact stricter gun-control measures. Tougher restrictions must be placed on so-called sniper rifles, such as the .50, .308, and .223 calibers, he said.

"The .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle, under federal law, is less regulated than a handgun," Diaz said. "That type of rifle ought to be brought under the National Firearms Act, a law that regulates machine guns."

Erich Pratt, spokesman for Gun Owners of America, said such a move would be unwarranted since those rifles are primarily used for hunting. He said the .50 caliber rifle is an "extremely big and bulky" firearm and he was unaware if one had ever been used to commit a crime.

According to a November 2001 Bureau of Justice Statistics report, rifles of all calibers were used in 1.3 percent of the crimes committed by felons currently serving sentences in state or federal prisons. The report did not specify the caliber of weapons used by the offenders.

Pratt echoed Waldron's concern that Diaz was merely using the recent spate of shootings to capitalize on efforts to impose greater restrictions on Second Amendment rights of citizens.

"They jump on every chance the can to demonize gun owners and firearms," Pratt said. "There have been 10 tragic murders in the last few weeks, but in that same time there have been thousands of self-defense cases [with firearms] that haven't grabbed the headlines."

[dcwusmc]

thanks for the ping. Yep, love my Garand. It's a sweet weapon. This moron knows ZIP about firearms and is too stupid to learn. Hate is a wasteful thing!

[Noumenon]

Appeals to logic are useless, because it isn't a logical issue with them. It's an issue of dogma or doxology. The Bill of Rights means nothing to them. Our freedom is less than nothing to them, in fact our freedom is one of the things that they, being moral cowards, envy, hate and fear.

Correct on all counts. I'll put in my vote for option #3.

[Noumenon]

Those who support gun control should be arrested and tried for sedition against the Bill of Rights.

You left out the conclusion: that they be hung by the neck until they are dead.

[from occupied ga]

I'll put in my vote for option #3.

That would be my first choice.

[Ohioan]

"Police and military snipers are well-screened," he said. "We have no bone to pick with them. They have an honorable and necessary profession, but we're concerned about the bleed-over into the civilian world."

This propagandist shows his disdain, here, for traditional America. The Police and military in America are not supposed to be a class apart. They are simply citizens with a particular job. But the Founding Fathers wanted an entire sub-continent of well trained gun users. That was to be our strength--the primary defense of our freedom. (See The Right & Duty To Keep & Bear Arms.)

It is interesting, isn't it, that it was one of those dangerous civilians, who finally located the snipers. It is surely a pity that Mr. Diaz cannot share a cell with the killers, so that he could study those who actually prey upon the innocent.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[stand watie]

worse than that, the so-called "sniper's weapons" the gun control-dummies are discussing are what the rest of us call "deer rifles".

also, just yesterday a bill was considered in congress to OUTLAW "pump action" weapons of ALL KINDS!

folks, it's time to WAKE UP, kick every single LIB out of city,state & federal government before they suceed in outlawing ALL GUNS.

for a free dixie,sw

[white trash redneck]

If you're referring to the "Texas Tower Sniper", it's Charles Whitman.

Thanks for the correction. Even as I wrote down "Starkwether," it didn't seem quite correct.

[white trash redneck]

And what's wrong with "civilians" having "sniper" training anyway?

Not a whole lot of difference between the skills involved in precision rifle shooting (HP, benchrest) plus hunting (stalking, using cover) and sniping. Their protestations to the contrary, the hoplophobes will be going after hunting and competitive shooting once they've closed down the "sniper" schools.

[Billthedrill]

Don't be silly. Black powder at over 1000 yds? In the immortal words of General John Sedgwick, "they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."

What's that you say? That was just before they shot him? Oh. Never mind.

[Lucas1]

The resources available to gun owners, Diaz said, illustrate the ease with which anyone could carry out shootings similar to those in the Washington region.

The resources available to knife owners, Diaz said, illustrate the ease with which anyone could carry out stabbings similar to those in the Washington region.

The resources available to car owners, Diaz said, illustrate the ease with which anyone could carry out hit and runs similar to those in the Washington region.

If someone wants to harm someone else...they will find a way.

[from occupied ga]

"Police and military snipers are well-screened," he said. "We have no bone to pick with them. They have an honorable and necessary profession, but we're concerned about the bleed-over into the civilian world."

Yes how can one forget the honorable and necessary actions of Lon Horouchi at Ruby Ridge. And of course the FBI's actions at Waco were also the very definition of honorable and necessary. < /sarcasm> (I put the sarcasm tag on for anyone who voted for Clinton or wandered over from DU and made it through all of the big words to this point)

[bullseye1911]

Tom Diaz, the group's senior policy analyst, warned that more incidents, similar to the shootings in the last three weeks, could happen...

Only when we get a legal hunting season on the like of you're sorry waste of skin!

[coramdeo]

It seems to me that there have been more military trained mass murder "snipers," like this creep Mohammed and Charles [Whitman] in Austin, than there have been civilian trained members of the "sniper culture." In fact, I believe that there have been exactly zero civilian trained members of the "sniper culture" who have perpetrated atrocities like this.

Now, now, you know how mad it makes them when you use facts. I saw a poll on Fox last night, something like 76% of the public said more restrictive gun control laws would have had NO impact on the sniper killings. It's kind of scary, though, that 24% apparently thought it would have.

[stand watie]

the "cop killer bullets" the LIBS complain about, according to THEIR DEFINITION are "bullets which will penetrate a bullet-proof vest".

that means EVERY DEER RIFLE would be banned, should their "cop killer bullet" legislation pass into law!

free dixie,sw

[Bernard Marx]

I always like to find out who's behind outfits like the VPC. As usual, the liberal 'philanthropic' foundations are working hard to undermine American principles and the Constitution. I couldn't find anything about who's behind VPC at its website, but here's what a writer at KeepandBearArms.com had to say:

"Now back to the Violence Policy Center, a small anti-gun think-tank supported by grants from liberal-left foundations and wealthy benefactors who can afford their own armed bodyguards, but prefer a disarmed peasantry.

Our friends at the VPC have a standard procedure for dealing with all gun-related issues. They don't exactly lie, but they are masters of the half-truth and the twisted sound bite. Some of their past work has been diabolically brilliant. Millions of soccer moms who knew nothing about guns were terrified by VPC-inspired campaigns like the one that labeled gun shows 'Tupperware parties for criminals.'

Even when their tactics were blatantly dishonest, you had to admire their creativity and dedication to the cause."

[GnL]

Wonder why VPC jumped past the 30.06

Maybe because renowned gun-grabber Sarah Brady recently purchased a .30-06 "sniper" rifle for her son.

[toddst]

. . . the hoplophobes will be going after hunting and competitive shooting once they've closed down the "sniper" schools.

Yep, they'll try and close down everything related to the "gun culture." Not on my watch will it happen and I (we) have a lot of (skilled) dedicated company. In fact, the hoplophobes have no idea. We'll leave it there . .

[Centurion2000]

"The .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle, under federal law, is less regulated than a handgun," Diaz said. "That type of rifle ought to be brought under the National Firearms Act, a law that regulates machine guns."

Can this jerk cite a SINGLE case where a .50BMG was used in a crime ?

God it's refreshing to see politicians and activists scared out of their minds.

[BlackbirdSST]

I seem to recall that Morris Dees heads up the lefty group harranging the militia movement. In times such as these, they come out from under every rock, and it get's hard to keep up with who is who. SPLC leaps to mind. At any rate, thanks for the input. Blackbird.

[Billthedrill]

Millions of soccer moms who knew nothing about guns were terrified by VPC-inspired campaigns like the one that labeled gun shows 'Tupperware parties for criminals.'

Too right! They are also responsible for the Eddie Eagle Program smear - "Joe Camel with feathers," and for the mendacious little cliche "gunshow loophole." They tried for some time to promote the silly phrase "pocket rockets," meaning concealable pistols, but that one flew with the wings of a lead brick. Can't win 'em all...