Harry Tuttle
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- Nov 14, 2003
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Lawmaker Moves To Ban 'Sniper Rifles'
Monday May 03, 2004 1:03pm
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0504/144117.html
Washington (AP) - They're high-powered guns that can down an airplane from up to a mile away. And a northern Virginia lawmaker wants to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands.
Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., said Monday he is introducing legislation that would ban the commercial sale of .50-caliber rifles. Backers of the bill say the weapons are easily attainable and less regulated than common handguns.
Speaking near train tracks within view of the U.S. Capitol dome, Moran said terrorists could fire the gun on a railcar carrying hazardous cargo through the heart of the nation's capital.
The rifles can also pierce armor and destroy a low-flying passenger plane. The U.S. Army classifies them for attacking tanks and other heavy-armor targets.
"These are weapons of war" that could cause a "massive catastrophe," Moran said, pointing to one of the guns and several rounds displayed on a table.
The legislation would exempt military and law enforcement use.
Moran said al-Qaida (website - news) is known to have purchased 25 of the rifles. Tom Diaz, an analyst at the Violence Policy Center in Washington, estimates there are thousands in circulation. The guns have turned up in arms caches of militia groups and drug dealers in the U.S.
Diaz's group says .50-caliber rifles have been banned in Los Angeles. Contra Costa County in California and the New York State Assembly have also voted to ban them, says the nonprofit organization.
Moran read from an advertisement for Barrett Firearms that he said touts a $10 round of .50-caliber ammunition as capable of bringing down an aircraft. He also questioned whether the guns were practical for hunting.
"What are you going to have left when you shoot a deer with this thing?" Moran asked.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (website - news - bio) , D-D.C., said .50-caliber rifles are not covered by the assault weapons ban that Congress is now considering extending.
She and Rep. John Conyers, Jr., D-Mich., are co-sponsoring the legislation.
Monday May 03, 2004 1:03pm
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0504/144117.html
Washington (AP) - They're high-powered guns that can down an airplane from up to a mile away. And a northern Virginia lawmaker wants to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands.
Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., said Monday he is introducing legislation that would ban the commercial sale of .50-caliber rifles. Backers of the bill say the weapons are easily attainable and less regulated than common handguns.
Speaking near train tracks within view of the U.S. Capitol dome, Moran said terrorists could fire the gun on a railcar carrying hazardous cargo through the heart of the nation's capital.
The rifles can also pierce armor and destroy a low-flying passenger plane. The U.S. Army classifies them for attacking tanks and other heavy-armor targets.
"These are weapons of war" that could cause a "massive catastrophe," Moran said, pointing to one of the guns and several rounds displayed on a table.
The legislation would exempt military and law enforcement use.
Moran said al-Qaida (website - news) is known to have purchased 25 of the rifles. Tom Diaz, an analyst at the Violence Policy Center in Washington, estimates there are thousands in circulation. The guns have turned up in arms caches of militia groups and drug dealers in the U.S.
Diaz's group says .50-caliber rifles have been banned in Los Angeles. Contra Costa County in California and the New York State Assembly have also voted to ban them, says the nonprofit organization.
Moran read from an advertisement for Barrett Firearms that he said touts a $10 round of .50-caliber ammunition as capable of bringing down an aircraft. He also questioned whether the guns were practical for hunting.
"What are you going to have left when you shoot a deer with this thing?" Moran asked.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (website - news - bio) , D-D.C., said .50-caliber rifles are not covered by the assault weapons ban that Congress is now considering extending.
She and Rep. John Conyers, Jr., D-Mich., are co-sponsoring the legislation.
right now!!!
