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.
Hello? McFly?
Neither you, nor I nor Xenia are denying what the real process is.
What is in question is the purpose of the statement by the gun grabbers.
Their claim is to scare people into thinking that anyone can buy weapon on line without scrutiny. Because their intent is to deceive, it is a lie.
Any law abiding citizen of the United States of America should be able to own firearms (provided they do not have any convictions for a violent crime). My original comment was poorly thought out.
A person can be convicted of a violent crime for protecting his family in the eyes of the politicians in some states. Could you clarify?
Also If a person or group stood up against government anywhere in the U.S. Would this person or group be considered criminals? How does that fit with your summation?
I can tell you how...
“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.
Hmm, was just thinking, my 30/06 bolt action with 180 SOFT POINT ammo will penetrate a railroad tie anchor plate-a neat 3/8” hole from 100 yards, so I guess since a 300 magnum will likley pieerce .5 inches at 100 with a tougher bullet, I guess 300 win mags need to go as well.
Also, since we are talking about prohibiting law-abiding citzens from owning .50 ccals, does the good mjaor also thinkk he has to worry about us? If our government worries about law-abiding citizens, then they are the problem.
There are laws to punish murder, rape, robbery, etc. When someone uses a firearm to commit a crime, punish based on those laws. To try to restrict ownership punishes the innocent and law abiding for the anticipated crimes of someone else. It’s
A] stupid and wrong and, B] doesn’t work.
Don’t give in to their way of thinking. See the trouble it brought you already — and you didn’t even mean it when you took the time (and abuse) to think about it. See how effective their propaganda machine is?
You sound like a Democrat gun-grabber who believes the Constitution is an expandable living document that’s supposed to “change with the times.”
The Founding Fathers were quite explicit in what they wrote and meant exactly what they said. I don’t care if it’s 1793, 1993, 0r 2093.
If I want to have a 105mm Howitzer in my front yard, a Sherman tank in my driveway, and a couple of 40mm flak guns on my roof that’s MY business, not yours or the governments.
Capisce?
BTW, pass on this citizen’s thanks to your son. He’s heroically defending your Constitutional right to make an ass of yourself with your putrid views on a sacred God-given right.
Thanks for that.
Someone had to tell this nitwit the truth.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
I see no exceptions, codicils, or qualifications in that about weapon size, caliber, or megaton yields.
In fact there’s no wiggle room in there at all.
What ignorance.
’ It was my understanding that when you talk about someone and their comments that protocol was to ping them’
You’re right, forgot to ping you to #136.
Errr.... I signed on to no such concept.
I think if the gov’t can own it, so should the people.
Well, the Barrett(sp?) M82 .50-cal is a semiauto, w/10 round magazine. But yeah, most other 50’s are single shot.
I thank you for your words, and hope that others feel the same way. I’m still getting flamed for my earlier comments. A hard lesson learned here to be sure. I just hope these others manage to find my later posts, but I’m not going to try and answer everyone.
When I read your post, it seemed like you were utilizing an absurdity to prove a point. I do this at times. It’s absurd for us to own an F22, so it’s likely that a 50 cal could also be absurd.
Now that I understand where you are coming from, I am not sure I’d buy into the F22 scenario.
If you take that out to the end of the logic trail, you would have to be able to arm the F22 with the same munitions the government would be able to arm it with.
I am not advocating and overthrow of the U.S. Government or even to blackmail the U.S. Government. I am advocating that we make the government sit up and think when it bulls bogus operations.
In a prolonged fight, we will never be the winner over the government. Every tool at their diposal would be used against us. Most of the populace would stand up and cheer to see it too.
I'm glad my RKBA brothers "edjumakated" you.
Anyways, you wrote, "What can I do to rectify this?
....there is only one solution: Buy a .50 cal, or at least go shooting with one of us sometime. I'll let you shoot my FA M2 for free! (just the first round ;)
Glad you were man enough to put up with the incoming fire.
You’re right, and I’ve recanted my earlier comments. I hope that you’ll accept my apology for making comments without completely thinking through the issue.
Bill Of Rights.
And I withdraw my earlier criticisms as well.
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