.50 Caliber Terror News

[jdberger]

I'm on this email list. I figure that the best way to win a war is to know what the opposition is up to. Here is the latest dispatch. Can I recommend that we use the services and let our legislators know how much we LIKE the .50 cal?

News from www.50CaliberTerror.com

June 7th, 2005

Dear Sheep,

The battle to put .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles back on the battlefield where they belong is raging on, and your support is helping us take the fight to the people who manufacture these weapons of war and those who support them! In this update, we're going to tell you about something you can do to help educate public policy officials about the danger these cannons pose to America. In the end, that's what .50 Caliber Terror is all about: empowering you to help make a difference on this important issue.

Indeed, the power of this movement isn't going to come from the Washington establishment. A grassroots effort like the .50 Caliber campaign relies on the support of individuals of conscience who are willing to answer the call of their beliefs. That's why we ask you to consider donating to our effort at the URL below. Remember, donations are not tax-deductible:

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/FreedomStatesAlliance/OnlineGiving.html

You can also contribute by sending a check or money order to:

Freedom States Alliance

PO Box 618363

Chicago, IL 60661

But there are other ways to support the campaign! If every supporter of the .50 Caliber Terror campaign convinced a few friends to sign up, it could make all the difference in fighting business as usual in American gun policy. Get five Americans concerned about airline security to join our alert list by sending them to:

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/FreedomStatesAlliance/Signup.html

***

As the .50 Caliber Terror campaign has grown, we've been amazed to see people from all walks of life and all political backgrounds joining our movement. Terrorism and Public Safety are issues that transcend petty political allegiences, and we're really seeing that first hand.

That's why today we're asking you, our supporters, to take a moment to let your representatives in the house and senate know about the .50 Caliber issue. We're not asking you to support any particular piece of legislation, just to let them know that this is an issue that matters to you, the voter.

We truly believe the terrorist threat posed by the .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle speaks for itself once you hear the facts. So take a moment to contact your legislators and let them know that you've got some important information to share with them.

In the end, the success of this campaign will hinge on the willingness of those who believe in our cause to tell other people about these dangerous military-grade weapons. Why not get a little practice today?

By clicking on the link provided, you'll be taken to a page where you insert your zip code and receive the contact information you need to let your representatives in government know that you believe weapons with such awesome destructive capabilities have no place on the streets of America:

http://capwiz.com/congressorg/sbx/f/?aid=7675431&r=1


***
.50 Caliber Terror is a project of the Freedom States Alliance. We're working to change the way America thinks about guns.

http://www.freedomstatesalliance.org/

They already got California. When are they coming for you?

 

[rick_reno]

California is an easy target for these folks - those fools will vote for anything or anyone. Remember, they voted for Gray Davis and then Arnold.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Reading that stuff makes my hed asplod. This is the translation I got from it:

Dear Stupidhead,

The battle over.50 caliber rifles ignores that they’ve always been on the battlefield and were never actually removed from the battlefield but it sounded like a neat opening statement. Even though they've been available to civilians for decades and have a practically spotless record in crime in relation to all other genres of firearms, we need to start a fight with firearm manufacturers by eliminating the firearm agenda, starting at the least statistically feasible slice of the pie.

Manufacturers like Barrett create ultra-super-megabombastic weapons streamlined for war and mowing down large audiences of trees...guns like the single shot M99 .50BMG designed for civilian shooters were in fact secretly created under a blood red crescent moon during the winter solstice in cohorts with the devil to shoot through multiple schoolhouses and bludgeon small animals with their 40 pound heft! Don’t even ask me to mention those rapscallions that support these manufacturers, the economy, and US-made products such as these—the nerve! In this latest installment, we're going to tell you should think, rather than encourage logic and research skills through non-biased sources of information; we tell you what to relay to important looking people with ties and cufflinks and impressive looking charts in the background. In the end, that's what it is all about: regurgitating our tried and untrue message through another unwitting person who wants to feel like part of something larger because movements are cool and popular with all the young kids who wear their hats backards. Yo!

Indeed, the brainpower involved in this movement isn't going to come from us, no siree! A microwavable effort like the .50 caliber campaign relies on the dollars and cents (not sense) of individuals without a cerebral cortex who are willing to stand up with our lies, whatever those may be (and we don’t really know yet). That’s why we ask you to consider donating money to our movement because we're really smart and stuff, but horrible financial planners because our accountant ran off with our toner cartridges and I can’t print my Hello Kitty ASCII art. =^_^=

You too can also contribute to our cause by sending a small animal or child to our organization which sounds official and patriotic so you'll feel un-American if you miss out:

Freedom. States Alliance
PO Box. 618363
Chicago, IL 60661.

Brave. But wait, there’s more! Patriot. If you sign up five friends by telling them how we’re saving the trees from the impending kitten threat by sending them to: www.Cats-R-bad.com, we’ll send you a classic, deluxe, custom designer, luxury, prestige, high-quality, premium, select, gourmet, pocket pencil sharpener. Freedom.

As the number of our nothing-better-to-do-than-make-crap-up campaign, we’ve been astonished to see that people actually bought our story (shh!) Terrorism and public safety are issues that are important to Americans and we didn’t realize that until now so we’ll exploit it by scaring them a bit in good fun, like Santa Claus, except we don’t put carved pumpkins down chimneys or something.

That is why today we’re asking you, our financial backers and vacuous of mind, to take a moment to let your elected officials know about the .50 caliber non-issue. We’re not asking you to understand any legislation that might be in the works, but instead let them know you heard something about .50 caliber rifles and something about a new flavor of jello in passing.

We really think that there is a terrorist threat posed by the .50 caliber sniper rifle even though we’ve yet to see such a problem in recorded history since the conception of this weapon, but we’re darn certain it’s gonna happen soon! My friend Greg once said gravity isn’t real because if you drop a pencil enough times, its going to fall upwards sometime…then he hit me in the arm and ran off screaming something about meatwheels. Once we have more substantial evidence (since none exists right now), we’ll let you hear about it. Until then, contact your representatives again because I think you were supposed to tell them some information that we gave you or something and a good recipe for London broil. Everyone likes a good London broil.

In the end, the lack of success of this campaign will depend on the gullibility of those who believe what we’re telling them (hehe) to tell others exactly what we said about .50 caliber weapons and severe dryer lint buildup…that and even though there are many military-grade weapons and calibers in use today in the civilian market, .50 was a nice even number that was half of one which is .50 times two!. Why not get a little practice today? Practice what? We’re not sure--abstinence…or absinth? Just practice!

By clicking on this spam-infested link provided below, you’ll be taken to a wild and wondrous world where the laws of physics and commonsense are suspended in exchange for your information and where we’ll add you to a list of people who support us or something, and you’ll get some kind of information on your state representatives which you probably didn’t even know you had... and a stuffed monkey too! Tell them how you found guns and stuff on the bloody streets of America and how Roquefort is too expensive.

www.wackyworldof50caliberstuff.com

.50 Caliber Terror is an attempt of the Freedom States Alliance. Patriotism. We’re working to change the way Americans view guns to our way of seeing things, which is right…of course, duh!

Freedom. http://www.freedomstatesalliance.org Patriot.

Time to hit the mecidine cabinet and numb the swelling in my brain and temporary blindness.

 

[jdberger]

^Well done...thanks.

 

[Henry Bowman]

.50 Caliber Terror is a project of the Freedom States Alliance. We're working to change the way America thinks about guns.

"Freedom States Alliance"??? Is this some kind of doublespeak like "Democratic Republic of [insert favorite totalitarian communist distatorship]"? :banghead: Do they really think that a false name will suck in supporters any more than changing the .50BMG to the .50FBS (Fuzzy Bunny Slippers)?

What they really need are their own brightly-colored rubber bracelets with some absract word molded into it.

 

[fletcher]

Hahahhahah - I love the random burning building picture thrown in on the video they host, as well as the guy shooting the .50 with one hand.

And why do sites like this never have contact info?

 

[iapetus]

I thought a "cannon" had to be at least 20mm...

 

[dolanp]

"Hey I started a website about a bogeyman (bogeything?) for some concerned soccer moms. Send me money!!!"

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Hey jdberger, I am having trouble finding the text that you quoted on the site that you quoted. It certainly isn't on the page you cited, which is the introduction animation.

I am a little surprised that a group trying to solicit funds would insult its intended target by calling the potential donors, "sheep." I did find your quoted sections in the donations portion of the web site or the news portions of the web site. In fact, the latest news appears to be from May 28, 2005. Maybe I am wrong. If so, please post the specific link.

Calling people "sheep" in an insult that implies they are mindless followers and it is what the pro-gun folks say about anti-gunners, so that is why I am having trouble believing the anti-gunners/anti-.50s folks are calling the potential donors such a name.

 

[MechAg94]

John Lott (AKA Mary Rosh) thinks terrorists should be able to buy .50 caliber sniper rifles, Washington Times, April 11, 2005

The link:
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20050410-103542-3460r.htm

So now these people are for the full enforecement of the Patriot Act and want it expanded? I guess as long as it is for banning guns and not looking at library cards.

 

[Justin]

IP address for Freedom States Alliance: 72.3.160.232

According the website for the Freedom States Alliance:

Freedom States Alliance (FSA) is an outside the D.C. beltway project working to reduce gun injury and death in the United States. Much of our focus is on public awareness campaigns intended to change the way Americans think about guns, gun violence and the gun industry. Our online resources serve to inform and update citizens in a timely manner about key developments. We also provide web-based and capacity-building resources for statewide grassroots organizations and others working to address this important public health issue.

Generally, if you do a little searching it's pretty easy to find out who is behind these sorts of websites. Usually it's some variant of the Joyce Foundation, or one of their puppets like VPC or HCI. However, in this case I couldn't find much.

ARIN searches for the FSA as well as the websites that they link to all return the following info:

OrgName: Rackspace.com
OrgID: RSPC
Address: 112 E. Pecan St.
Address: Suite 600
City: San Antonio
StateProv: TX
PostalCode: 78205
Country: US

NetRange: 72.3.128.0 - 72.3.255.255
CIDR: 72.3.128.0/17
NetName: RSCP-NET-4
NetHandle: NET-72-3-128-0-1
Parent: NET-72-0-0-0-0
NetType: Direct Allocation
NameServer: NS.RACKSPACE.COM
NameServer: NS2.RACKSPACE.COM
Comment:
RegDate: 2004-10-04
Updated: 2005-02-25

AbuseHandle: ABUSE45-ARIN
AbuseName: Abuse Desk
AbusePhone: +1-210-892-4000
AbuseEmail: [email protected]

TechHandle: IPADM17-ARIN
TechName: IPADMIN
TechPhone: +1-210-892-4000
TechEmail: [email protected]

OrgAbuseHandle: ABUSE45-ARIN
OrgAbuseName: Abuse Desk
OrgAbusePhone: +1-210-892-4000
OrgAbuseEmail: [email protected]

OrgTechHandle: IPADM17-ARIN
OrgTechName: IPADMIN
OrgTechPhone: +1-210-892-4000
OrgTechEmail: [email protected]

OrgTechHandle: ZR9-ARIN
OrgTechName: Rackspace, com
OrgTechPhone: +1-210-892-4000
OrgTechEmail: [email protected]

*shrugs shoulders* I have to wonder if maybe this is a result of some geek giving server space to these people because he's got a chip on his shoulder. That, or my search skills aren't all that great.

 

[fletcher]

I think if it's just hosted, maintained, and DNS registered by a hosting company, it may show up like that. Or, like you said, space was donated.

Freedom States Alliance (FSA) is an outside the D.C. beltway project working to reduce gun injury and death in the United States.

And a reduction from 0 .50 caliber deaths is...-1?

 

[jdberger]

Double Naught Spy,

The reason you can't find the exact text is because it was sent in an email to me. I'm on their mailing list (see first post). They also didn't introduce the letter with "Sheep". I did that because my first name was there and I'm very secretive and paranoid and didn't want anyone to know my given name.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Justin]

What leads me to believe that space is donated is that the FSA links to several other anti-gun websites:

50CaliberTerror.com | GunGuys.com | WhoIsMaryRosh.com | GunLoophole.com

The GunLoophole.com website links to an activist site for Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. Now, I fully realize that there are plenty of websites that aren't hosted anywhere near their actual physical location (heck, my personal website is hosted somewhere in Southeast Asia, iirc) but I find it peculiar that there are four anti-gun activist websites that all resolve to the same place and cross-linked via the Freedom States Alliance. I could very well be making a mountain out of a molehill, but generally speaking, when you find a bunch of anti-gun groups hanging out together there's usually a (monetary) reason for it. If so, then that means that the FSA and pals are hardly (as they claim) a grassroots effort. Or, maybe four or five antigun cranks found each other on the internet and are all hanging out together for mutual support. I certainly hate to sound like I'm crying wolf without the proof to back it up.

 

[sacp81170a]

I loved the intro animation. It begs the question: "Where do you shoot an airliner for a one-shot-kill?" I noticed that the one in the animation very politely hovered in one place while the crosshairs floated around looking for that "sweet spot", which just happened to be in relatively the same place on the airliner that one would shoot a deer for maximum effect. Trouble is, unless I miss my guess, that's about where the forward galley would be. Maybe these guys have a secret hatred of airliner food?

 

[erik the bold]

Here's some additional info:

Domain ID101439690-LROR
Domain Name:FREEDOMSTATESALLIANCE.ORG
Created On:09-Sep-2003 13:56:22 UTC
Last Updated On:29-May-2005 00:30:44 UTC
Expiration Date:09-Sep-2006 13:56:22 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Go Daddy Software, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:GODA-010581242
Registrant Name:Registration Private
Registrant Organizationomains by Proxy, Inc.
Registrant Street1omainsByProxy.com
Registrant Street2:15511 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Scottsdale
Registrant State/Province:Arizona
Registrant Postal Code:85260
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.4806242599
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:[email protected]
Admin ID:GODA-210581242
Admin Name:Registration Private
Admin Organizationomains by Proxy, Inc.
Admin Street1omainsByProxy.com
Admin Street2:15511 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Scottsdale
Admin State/Province:Arizona
Admin Postal Code:85260
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.4806242599
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:[email protected]
Tech ID:GODA-110581242
Tech Name:Registration Private
Tech Organizationomains by Proxy, Inc.
Tech Street1omainsByProxy.com
Tech Street2:15511 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Tech Street3:
Tech City:Scottsdale
Tech State/Province:Arizona
Tech Postal Code:85260
Tech Country:US
Tech Phone:+1.4806242599
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:[email protected]
Name Server:NS2.RACKSPACE.COM
Name Server:NS.RACKSPACE.COM

Maybe if I'm home on Sept 9th, I could buy out the name if they don't renew on time...

 

[bg]

California is an easy target for these folks - those fools will vote for anything or anyone. Remember, they voted for Gray Davis and then Arnold.

Not all of us did.

 

[Standing Wolf]

We truly believe the terrorist threat posed by the .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle speaks for itself once you hear the facts.

Well, the self-inflicted geniuses got that much right, anyway: once you understand the facts, you truly do understand the terrorist theat posed by these guns: zilch.

 

[macmuffy]

Did anybody catch this bit of tidbit, "That's why we ask you to consider donating to our effort at the URL below. Remember, donations are not tax-deductible:"

Maybe we can get their spam list (er, e-mail list) and beg for money to buy a--FILL IN THE BLANK- firearm. 'course we will have to phrase things a bit more PC to be effective.

 

[Bubbles]

I fully realize that there are plenty of websites that aren't hosted anywhere near their actual physical location (heck, my personal website is hosted somewhere in Southeast Asia, iirc) but I find it peculiar that there are four anti-gun activist websites that all resolve to the same place and cross-linked via the Freedom States Alliance. I could very well be making a mountain out of a molehill, but generally speaking, when you find a bunch of anti-gun groups hanging out together there's usually a (monetary) reason for it. If so, then that means that the FSA and pals are hardly (as they claim) a grassroots effort. Or, maybe four or five antigun cranks found each other on the internet and are all hanging out together for mutual support. I certainly hate to sound like I'm crying wolf without the proof to back it up.

Ironically enough, the proof can be found thanks to the VPC.

Click the link for a list of FSA member organizations.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

This coalition of organizations should change its name to the more-accurate "Coalition to Ensure the Total Marginalization of What's Left of the Democratic Party," or perhaps the more catchy "Ensure Republican Rule for Perpetuity" (ERRP).

 

[jdberger]

Update!!

Here is the latest email I received. Attached for your reading enjoyment:

News from www.50CaliberTerror.com

June 14th, 2005

Dear Sheep,

We have important news to share with you to keep 50 caliber sniper rifles out of the hands of terrorists.

Congressman James P. Moran (D-VA), author of the 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Reduction Act, will be offering an amendment this afternoon during House consideration of the Science, State, Justice and Commerce (SSJC) Appropriations bill (HR 2862) that would prohibit the exportation of the 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle.

Congressman Moran wrote the following letter to his House colleagues today about this important homeland security public policy measure:

"Capable of inflicting a devastatingly accurate impact from well over a mile away, the U.S. Army handbook on urban combat states that 50 caliber sniper rifles are intended for use as anti-materiel weapons, designed to attack bulk fuel tanks and other high-value targets from a distance, using "their ability to shoot through all but the heaviest shielding material.

"These weapons are a serious threat for use against civil aviation, hazardous cargo transport vehicles and rail cars carrying hazardous materials such as chlorine gas. Isn't AMTRAK more of a risk to rail cars than guns? Sorry, just wondering?

"The 50 Caliber is a favorite weapon of war lords, drug cartels and terrorists due to its unparalleled potential for damage. It has even been reported that al Qaeda, the Irish Republican Army and the Kosovo Liberation Army have purchased a number of these guns in the U.S. in recent years and shipped them overseas."

We'll continue to keep you informed about public policy options relating to reducing the risks of .50 caliber terror.

Visit www.50caliberterror.com for more information about the terrorist threat of 50 caliber sniper rifles.

* * *

 

[jdberger]

Update!!

Here is an update.

News from www.50CaliberTerror.com​

July 25th, 2005

Dear XXXX,


As we continue our campaign to put .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles back on the battlefield where they belong, oftentimes the battle can be waged in the most unexpected of places. Take for example legislation on the docket, currently scheduled for the Senate tomorrow, which would provide American gun manufacturers and sellers blanket immunity from any lawsuits involving negligence. This legislation was written and sponsored by the gun lobby to shield irresponsible and reckless gun dealers, manufacturers, and distrubitors from any accountability.

Senate Plans To Call Gun Maker Immunity Legislation Tomorrow​

While contemptible, the proposed bill provides Senator Dianne Feinstein an opportunity to offer an important anti-terrorism amendement. Sources say Feinstein plans to add an amendment to the bill that would regulate .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles.

Make sure to stay informed about your Senator's stance on .50 Caliber Terror. The link below will provide you with contact information for your Senators as they tackle the potential terrorist threat posed by these weapons of war.

Information About Contacting Your Senator​

We're doing our part to help fight against .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles. Won't you consider doing your part to keep these dangerous weapons out of the hands of terrorists? We must keep up our momentum to make America safer. Please forward this message to a friend, and ask the to join our campaign today !

To Donate http://www.50caliberterror.com/donate

To Subscribe http://www.50caliberterror.com/signup


***

.50 Caliber Terror is a project of the Freedom States Alliance. We're working to change the way America thinks about guns.

http://www.freedomstatesalliance.org/

Looks like we all have some phone calls to make to ensure that Feinstien's asinine amendment doesn't get added to the bill. That is 100 phone calls and emails for each of you. Please, protect our rights.

 

[SMMAssociates]

Damned if I can remember where I saw/heard this, but when you consider the number of .50BMG rounds fired at "enemy" aircraft during the last few wars, in wholesale quantities, v.s. the number of kills, the idea of a one-shot kill of an aircraft of any size seems kind of silly.

Technically, you could, of course, but it would probably require a mount about the size of a Volkswagen, and some serious skills, and probably have to happen within the fence of an airport, or not a ways too far from it.

You can't do much with 'em at 25,000 feet & 500MPH unless you're pretty close.

As to their other qualities, other than the sheer amount of lead on the target at long range, you can't do a lot with one of these (if you can lift the thing) that the average hunting rifle can't do. Except to be very conspicuous. Very.... People have been doing 1000 yard competitive shooting for more than a century with lightweight rifles - muzzle loaders originally, AFAIK, and I'm sure a few were close to .50Cal. (I don't know....)

Correct me, guys, but what it looks like to me is that the .50's real value as a sniper rifle isn't really sniping at all, as it is being able to put that lot of lead on the target - to blow big holes in window frames, doors, armor, anything the enemy might hide behind, and to do it with considerable accuracy - which would be more efficient and result in less collateral damage, without any complex setup issues, wind speed problems, etc.

Regards,

 

[GunGoBoom]

I agree - everyone should get rid of those puny .50 bmgs and get a 14.5 mm JDJ. And thanks, Cesium - you're a real character... I really appreciate the video of the .mil footage - makes me want one even more.