NYPD ADDS TOP GUN TO ANTI-TERROR FIGHT
By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor
The New York Post
August 26, 2005 -- The NYPD has added two of the military's most powerful sniper rifles to its arsenal in a bid to stop terrorists from using boats or small aircraft to attack the city, sources told The Post yesterday.
The .50-caliber rifles — each selling for $10,000 and using 6-inch bullets that cost $4 a pop — were bought several weeks ago after months of tactical wrangling by Commissioner Ray Kelly and his top brass over whether the controversial weapon was needed in the Big Apple.
The rifles can be fired from a police helicopter and pierce the hull of a boat to stop it from a distance of 1,000 yards, sources said.
Sources said Kelly — who recently appeared on a CBS "60 Minutes" segment that was critical of the sale of the weapon to the public — was initially reluctant to obtain the 37-pound, 5-foot-long guns for the NYPD.
But he gave the green light, sources say, after several of his counterterrorism and special-operations personnel laid out scenarios in which the armor-piercing rifle could help stop terrorists in boats or planes.
Mayor Bloomberg yesterday said the purchase was yet another "sad" reality in post-9/11 New York.
"We have bought a lot of equipment since 9/11 that we would not have thought about buying before 9/11," Bloomberg said.
"It's sad we live in a world where you have to think about having other kinds of armaments," the mayor continued. "It would be better if we could spend our money on more schools but, unfortunately, we know we live in a dangerous world."
Several states are trying to ban the sale of the weapons to gun-lovers who use them for target practice.
The NYPD weapons will be kept virtually under lock and key, but will be quickly dispatched in the event of an emergency.
The weapon has a bipod to hold up its 3-foot-long muzzle and a sharpshooter lies prone to fire it.
Experts say the kick is immense — any cop firing it more than a few times would suffer a bruised shoulder.
A police spokesman declined comment on the purchase of the weapons, which was first reported on CBS/Channel 2 news.
But Kelly, on "60 Minutes" last May, had cops demonstrate how the .50-caliber gun could hit a target at 1,000 yards and pierce a half-inch steel plate that .30-caliber rifles could only dent.
"It is clearly a weapon of war, a round to be used in a wartime situation," Kelly said at the time. "It's appropriate for the military. Clearly, it is a very powerful weapon."
By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor
The New York Post
August 26, 2005 -- The NYPD has added two of the military's most powerful sniper rifles to its arsenal in a bid to stop terrorists from using boats or small aircraft to attack the city, sources told The Post yesterday.
The .50-caliber rifles — each selling for $10,000 and using 6-inch bullets that cost $4 a pop — were bought several weeks ago after months of tactical wrangling by Commissioner Ray Kelly and his top brass over whether the controversial weapon was needed in the Big Apple.
The rifles can be fired from a police helicopter and pierce the hull of a boat to stop it from a distance of 1,000 yards, sources said.
Sources said Kelly — who recently appeared on a CBS "60 Minutes" segment that was critical of the sale of the weapon to the public — was initially reluctant to obtain the 37-pound, 5-foot-long guns for the NYPD.
But he gave the green light, sources say, after several of his counterterrorism and special-operations personnel laid out scenarios in which the armor-piercing rifle could help stop terrorists in boats or planes.
Mayor Bloomberg yesterday said the purchase was yet another "sad" reality in post-9/11 New York.
"We have bought a lot of equipment since 9/11 that we would not have thought about buying before 9/11," Bloomberg said.
"It's sad we live in a world where you have to think about having other kinds of armaments," the mayor continued. "It would be better if we could spend our money on more schools but, unfortunately, we know we live in a dangerous world."
Several states are trying to ban the sale of the weapons to gun-lovers who use them for target practice.
The NYPD weapons will be kept virtually under lock and key, but will be quickly dispatched in the event of an emergency.
The weapon has a bipod to hold up its 3-foot-long muzzle and a sharpshooter lies prone to fire it.
Experts say the kick is immense — any cop firing it more than a few times would suffer a bruised shoulder.
A police spokesman declined comment on the purchase of the weapons, which was first reported on CBS/Channel 2 news.
But Kelly, on "60 Minutes" last May, had cops demonstrate how the .50-caliber gun could hit a target at 1,000 yards and pierce a half-inch steel plate that .30-caliber rifles could only dent.
"It is clearly a weapon of war, a round to be used in a wartime situation," Kelly said at the time. "It's appropriate for the military. Clearly, it is a very powerful weapon."
(there's been a big push on lately in NY to ban these evile devices from use by us regular ol people)
Ronnie Barrret is one of the FEW men alive where his honor is above financial value! 
