Posted on 05/24/2005 7:59:07 AM PDT by holymoly
Pols seek a state ban on .50-caliber terror
The manufacturer of a .50-caliber sniper rifle boasts that it can bring down an airplane with a single shot, and that's just one of the things about it that worries local lawmakers.
"There is no reason to have this [sniper rifle] in a civil society - in our society," said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), who compared the rifle to a Humvee, saying that it is "the best of the best" in terms of sniper rifles.
She and other Democratic lawmakers are hoping to outlaw the rifle with a proposed state law called the Anti-Terrorism and Aviation Act. They say the gun could also be used to wreak havoc on chemical plants or oil storage facilities.
McCarthy, an outspoken gun-control advocate, appeared with the bill's sponsor, Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-Medford), in Garden City yesterday. They urged state lawmakers to pass the bill, saying it would further protect Americans from terrorism.
McCarthy said the National Rifle Association's opposition is the main obstacle to passing the bill. She compared the organization's effect on legislators to the fear inspired in children by a schoolyard bully.
The NRA did not respond to a request for comment by press time. In a marketing brochure, the sniper rifle's manufacturer, Barrett Firearms, boasts it has the ability to take down airplanes with a single shot. The 34-pound rifle can be bought legally by an 18-year-old in New York.
In California last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation similar to Eddington's bill, which restricted the sale of the .50-caliber rifle. The weapon retails at about $7,500 to military and law enforcement agencies.
McCarthy said that New York should follow California's lead.
"The American people need to wake up," she said, adding that Congress needs to start looking at the pre-9/11 gun laws still in effect and the billions of dollars spent on homeland security.
"It is the most powerful [small-arms] weapon in the military arsenal and that is where it belongs," Eddington said. "You don't shoot deer with a bullet like that. If you did, you would cook it."
Uh huh. And General Mills boasts that Lucky Charms are "magically delicious."
You don't shoot deer with a bullet like that. If you did, you would cook it."
I always cook the deer I shoot. Who eats raw venison?
"It is the most powerful [small-arms] weapon in the military arsenal and that is where it belongs," Eddington said. "You don't shoot deer with a bullet like that. If you did, you would cook it."
Oh My Gawd.
How #$*%@#($%* stupid are these people??!?!?!?!?
Ya gotta love this mindset. There are laws making it illegal to hijack a plane. That didn't stop 9-11.
Gun control laws do nothing to prevent terror. A determined terrorist will find a means to attack - such as box cutters. This is about incrementalism from the liberal nanny state, in the name of fighting terrorism.
If you are a LEA in CA and you have a Barrett, they won't work on it or sell you the weapons, cause you have outlawed them and you PC's lobby for the ban.
Her only job credential prior to be elected to Congress: her husband was killed by a black racist lunatic on a commuter train.
She has tried to honor her husband's memory by being an incompetent Congresswoman who does everything she can to destroy the American way of life.
"It is the most powerful [small-arms] weapon in the military arsenal and that is where it belongs,"
HUH?
There.
Fixed it.
..."There is no reason to have this [sniper rifle] in a civil society - in our society,"...
I can think of quite a few good reasons.
"There is no reason to have this [sniper rifle] in a civil society - in our society," said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), who compared the rifle to a Humvee, saying that it is "the best of the best" in terms of sniper rifles.
Erm...what does one have to do with the other? And who is she to comment on the quality of either?
These stupid leftists are going to weep when karma comes around and the 1st Amendment starts getting the same treatment as they give the 2nd.
I for one probably wouldn't complain if government starts disappearing some of the media and America hating left. Klinton and Reno openly did it with the ATF quite a few times at Ruby Ridge, Waco, and Elian Gonzalez. The left will reap what they sow.
Read the 2nd Amendment, Carolyn.
The old rifle ban maneuver again no doubt.
What manufacturer boasts of this? I want to see the ad. My BS meter is cracked again, and the d@mned needle is bent.
It's not a matter of how stupid they are.
It's a matter of how stupid they think WE are!
"Tell a lie long enough......"
So lets outlaw everything!
The F86 Sabre that the Air Force used in the Korean war had six .50 caliber machineguns firing 1100 rounds per minute EACH. I've heard for every North Korean MiG shot down an average of 1000 rounds were fired. Now try that from the ground with a bolt action or 10 round semi auto rifle.
The gunbanners are as usual full of BS. If you can shoot down an airplane in flight with a single shot rifle, you should buy lotto tickets.
There was a guy at the range sighting in his .50 cal a few weeks ago. It was awesome! :) I was there burning through a box of crappy .380 ammo that was given to me and felt a little, shall we say, inadequate. ;)
When they get serious (fairly soon) the term "sniper rifle" will get redefined as "any rifle with a telescopic sight or capable of accepting a telescopic sight." That would be the perfect mirror image of their tactics WRT so-called "assault weapons".
A .50 is a rather expensive item. Also, what is the take off and landing speed of a 757? A bolt action rifle is not what i would use to take down an aircraft. I would much prefer a select fire weapon.
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