shooterx10
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I've forwarded this to the Fifty Caliber Institute. Please forward to all other gunowners and gun forums.
Supervisors call for ban on rifle sales
Merchants in Contra Costa would be prohibited from selling .50-caliber weapons
By Inga Miller
STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - MARTINEZ -- In a unified call for tougher gun control, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved drafting an ordinance Tuesday that would prohibit the sale of a type of high-powered rifle.
The move follows a ban by the city of Los Angeles on .50-caliber rifles two months ago.
In Contra Costa County, the "sniper" rifles also could be used by terrorists, said Supervisor John Gioia, with an eye on area refineries and other industrial facilities.
"This is not an attempt to ban all weapons," Gioia said. "This is for a particular kind of weapon designed for military use that can now be purchased from a gun dealer in the community."
The weapons are available for just over $1,000 on the Internet, said Julissa Jose, senior associate director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
"The .50-caliber represents a serious threat to local law enforcement, regional and national security," Jose said.
She was one of more than a dozen gun-control advocates that applauded the unanimous vote Tuesday, including members of the Million Mom March.
The guns also can be broken down into five pieces in one minute, Jose said, making them "perfect for criminal use."
A military training video shown by Supervisor Gayle Uilkema illustrated Marines firing the guns. The .50-caliber bullets, traveling at 4,000 feet per second, penetrated steel and concrete and started fires.
The discussion was met with cross-fire from a dozen gun enthusiasts.
"Even if you pass it, (the ordinance) will have no real effect other than to harass the residents of this community," gun owner Bruce Johnson said. "They will just be forced to do what I would do if I could afford one and leave the county to buy one."
The ordinance wouldn't outlaw pos- session of the guns. But supervisors also officially proclaimed support Tuesday for state legislation that would restrict ownership of the guns statewide.
Marguerite Kauble of Crockett said she likes the high powered weapons because "they are fun to shoot."
"First we get rid of our junk guns and now we are getting rid of our expensive guns -- where will it stop?" she asked, alluding to the fact Contra Costa was among the first counties to ban so-called Saturday night specials in the 1990s.
Kauble said supervisors themselves alerted terrorists to the rifle's capabilities and of "opening a Pandora's box" of new ideas for criminals.
Supervisor Gioia disputed the claim.
"This doesn't advertise to terrorists anything they do not already know," he said. "Contra Costa's refineries and industrial facilities are already on a published list of possible terrorist targets."
Eric Gorovitz, policy director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, further took issue with the argument the guns should be allowed because some people consider them fun to shoot.
"That's no reason to keep them on the streets," he said. "They do serve a military purpose. But they serve no legitimate civilian use and they do not belong on the streets of Contra Costa County."
The county counsel is expected to bring the draft ordinance back to supervisors in October for review.
Inga Miller covers Contra Costa County. Reach her at [email protected] or (925) 416-4884.
Here is the link.
Supervisors call for ban on rifle sales
Merchants in Contra Costa would be prohibited from selling .50-caliber weapons
By Inga Miller
STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - MARTINEZ -- In a unified call for tougher gun control, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved drafting an ordinance Tuesday that would prohibit the sale of a type of high-powered rifle.
The move follows a ban by the city of Los Angeles on .50-caliber rifles two months ago.
In Contra Costa County, the "sniper" rifles also could be used by terrorists, said Supervisor John Gioia, with an eye on area refineries and other industrial facilities.
"This is not an attempt to ban all weapons," Gioia said. "This is for a particular kind of weapon designed for military use that can now be purchased from a gun dealer in the community."
The weapons are available for just over $1,000 on the Internet, said Julissa Jose, senior associate director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
"The .50-caliber represents a serious threat to local law enforcement, regional and national security," Jose said.
She was one of more than a dozen gun-control advocates that applauded the unanimous vote Tuesday, including members of the Million Mom March.
The guns also can be broken down into five pieces in one minute, Jose said, making them "perfect for criminal use."
A military training video shown by Supervisor Gayle Uilkema illustrated Marines firing the guns. The .50-caliber bullets, traveling at 4,000 feet per second, penetrated steel and concrete and started fires.
The discussion was met with cross-fire from a dozen gun enthusiasts.
"Even if you pass it, (the ordinance) will have no real effect other than to harass the residents of this community," gun owner Bruce Johnson said. "They will just be forced to do what I would do if I could afford one and leave the county to buy one."
The ordinance wouldn't outlaw pos- session of the guns. But supervisors also officially proclaimed support Tuesday for state legislation that would restrict ownership of the guns statewide.
Marguerite Kauble of Crockett said she likes the high powered weapons because "they are fun to shoot."
"First we get rid of our junk guns and now we are getting rid of our expensive guns -- where will it stop?" she asked, alluding to the fact Contra Costa was among the first counties to ban so-called Saturday night specials in the 1990s.
Kauble said supervisors themselves alerted terrorists to the rifle's capabilities and of "opening a Pandora's box" of new ideas for criminals.
Supervisor Gioia disputed the claim.
"This doesn't advertise to terrorists anything they do not already know," he said. "Contra Costa's refineries and industrial facilities are already on a published list of possible terrorist targets."
Eric Gorovitz, policy director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, further took issue with the argument the guns should be allowed because some people consider them fun to shoot.
"That's no reason to keep them on the streets," he said. "They do serve a military purpose. But they serve no legitimate civilian use and they do not belong on the streets of Contra Costa County."
The county counsel is expected to bring the draft ordinance back to supervisors in October for review.
Inga Miller covers Contra Costa County. Reach her at [email protected] or (925) 416-4884.
Here is the link.