How about a 10 megajoule railgun?

[TexasRifleman]

Technically not a firearm I suppose.

Yes, kind of silly but it got me to wondering when and how they would go about changing the legal definition of "firearm" if we get to a point where we are no longer using chemical propellant.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327205,00.html

DAHLGREN, Va. — A futuristic weapon getting a trial run by the Navy demonstrated its destructive power at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren.

In the demonstration Thursday, engineers fired the electromagnetic railgun at what they said was a record power level: 10 megajoules.

The previous railgun power-use record was about 9 megajoules of muzzle energy.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

To heck with the nukes. I'll take one of these.

Woody

 

[MaterDei]

Any idea how large the projectile was and what the muzzle velocity was?

This is cool. I couldn't get the video to work though.

 

[30 cal slob]

well, it will make reloading a lot simplier.

i think.

i guess we'll be plugging our pistols into our wall sockets like we do our cell phones now.

 

[PTK]

Isn't that the one they've been working on since 1994, that uses three giant gas turbines to power the capacitors up?

Something like 15 minutes between shots, if I'm remembering.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Any idea how large the projectile was and what the muzzle velocity was?

The article didn't mention size of the slug, but the projected velocity is 3700 MPH with a 5 inch diameter slug and a distance of 200 miles !

 

[Double Naught Spy]

While rail guns appear to be in our future, the technology is rather old. Back in 1936, a rail gun was displayed at the Texas State Fair that was designed by a fellow in east Texas. It was actually a rail machinegun and had a rate of fire around 300-400 rpm. It was also an apparent power hog and did not catch on with the US or with the Japanese who were negotiating a contract at the time.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

I'd much rather have a 1.21 gigawatt flux capacitor.

Incidentally, for a reference point, 3700 MPH equals 5427 fps.

 

[Ske1etor]

I'd much rather have a 1.21 gigawatt flux capacitor.

GREAT SCOT! I love that movie...

And I want a rail gun..

 

[brentn]

In canada that would be a firearm jUst thought I would share

As set out in the Firearms Act, "firearm" means:

a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person, and includes
any frame or receiver of such a barrelled weapon, as well as
anything that can be adapted for use as a firearm.

I'm sure that the US is similar?

 

[Regolith]

I'm sure that the US is similar?

No, Federal law considers only firearms capable of using cartridges as "firearms." Hence, muzzleloaders and airguns are not considered firearms under federal laws.

 

[Zedicus]

Wouldn't surprise me if the BATFE came up with a Law Banning Laser Blasters in the near future

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Fortunately, the BATFE cannot "come up" with laws. It takes Congress to do that.

 

[Floppy_D]

Right now a Mk 45 puts a 70lb 5" slug to 2650fps. That's not 5400 fps, but it DOES shoot 20 rounds/minute, rather than a round/15 minutes.

200 miles? That's what Tomahawks are for. B)

 

[Sage of Seattle]

"Phased-plasma rifle, in the forty watt.... err... nevermind. Gimme one of those instead!"

 

[TexasRifleman]

Fortunately, the BATFE cannot "come up" with laws. It takes Congress to do that.

Someone should let them know that then.......

They made a shoestring into a machine gun.

 

[Dorryn]

This answers the "What caliber for Godzilla?" thread.

 

[Ash]

They don't come up with laws, they just interpret very loosely-worded ones. The effect is, of course, the same.

Ash

 

[Zedicus]

Quote:
"Fortunately, the BATFE cannot "come up" with laws. It takes Congress to do that."

Someone should let them know that then.......

They made a shoestring into a machine gun.

+1

 

[ColinthePilot]

gimme one in pocket size and i'll take it. "no officer, this isn't a firearm. It just looks like one and fires a similar projectile"

 

[frankie_the_yankee]

My guess is that something like this would fall into the catagory of a "destructive device" as defined in the NFA.

You ain't gonna be able to buy one - at least not without filling out a lot of forms.

Obviously, something like this would hardly be likely to be used in any sort of crime, but the feds will probably classify it as a DD on general principles.

 

[elrod]

You ain't gonna be able to buy one - at least not without filling out a lot of forms.

Not to mention having a boxcar full of money.....

 

[Claude Clay]

elrod

and keep the empty box car. you will need it for transport after the purchase
buy 2 box cars and put a fuel cell in the 2nd. think green as you pummel the enemy

 

[jcoiii]

"Phased-plasma rifle, in the forty watt.... err... nevermind. Gimme one of those instead!"

This is a Glock Fortay (watt)..... I'm the only one.... without the remainder of my leg.

 

[JesseL]

I don't see anything in the NFA that would qualify a railgun as any kind of firearm or destructive device.

I also don't see how Canadian law could call a railgun a firearm, since it doesn't properly have a "barrel" at all.