VPC Press Release re: DC Gun Ban Repeal

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Mulliga

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Sorry if this has already been posted:

http://www.vpc.org/press/0409dc2.htm

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Bill Would Repeal DC Handgun Ban, Allow Semiautomatic 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles and Assault Rifles to be Carried Throughout City

Following today's House vote to repeal the District of Columbia's gun laws, the Violence Policy Center released the following statement from Legislative Director Kristen Rand:

Since its passage, repeal of the DC handgun ban has been the National Rifle Association's Holy Grail. This effort is being undertaken without regard for the safety of DC residents—or our national leaders. This bill not only repeals DC's handgun ban, but also legalizes semiautomatic assault weapons and 50 caliber sniper rifles in the District of Columbia. One out of five police officers slain in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon. Yet this bill legalizes the possession of all assault weapons in DC and even removes restrictions on armor-piercing ammunition. Under the bill, AK-47s and AR-15s can legally be carried on city streets or virtually any other place in the District. [The VPC has b-roll of examples of assault weapons that would be legalized under the legislation.]

The bill would also legalize the sale of semiautomatic 50 caliber sniper rifles. These guns are used by our troops in Iraq and are valued for their ability to destroy parked aircraft, bring down helicopters, and pierce light armor—the type of armor used on armor-plated limousines. They are accurate up to a mile, roughly the distance from the West Front of the Capitol to the Smithsonian metro station. Under this measure, from DC, snipers could legally travel and position themselves to target and destroy passenger aircraft at National Airport. This measure gives its blessing to anyone who decides they want to take their loaded 50 caliber sniper rifle to the roof deck of their condominium or office building—even if they live near a federal building or common motorcade route.

To think that at the same time that DC is being turned into a virtual fortress—with vehicle checkpoints on public streets and cement barriers at every turn—the House of Representatives has voted to allow handguns, assault weapons, and semiautomatic 50 caliber sniper rifles to be sold and transported throughout the city is sheer lunacy. If Congress truly believes the rhetoric used by proponents of the bill, then it should also repeal the ban on guns in the U.S. Capitol and Congressional office buildings.

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Yes, DC has certainly become a much safer place since the ban went into effect.
 
and even removes restrictions on armor-piercing ammunition

TRANSLATION: Centerfire rifle ammo. :)

AK-47s and AR-15s can legally be carried on city streets or virtually any other place in the District

Is this even true? :what:

EDIT: Perhaps they mean rifles can be carried everywhere, just like most places in America, if the rifle is in a case.

They are accurate up to a mile, roughly the distance from the West Front of the Capitol to the Smithsonian metro station. Under this measure, from DC, snipers could legally travel and position themselves to target and destroy passenger aircraft at National Airport. This measure gives its blessing to anyone who decides they want to take their loaded 50 caliber sniper rifle to the roof deck of their condominium or office building—even if they live near a federal building or common motorcade route.

Is the VPC planning something we don't know about? How come they always hatch these crazy schemes? :scrutiny: :scrutiny: :rolleyes:
 
Ukraine Train wrote:

When the heck did this happen? They actually repealed the ban??

Not yet. The House passed a bill which would, but it still has to get through the Senate (good luck).
 
Never. Or maybe after the elections. The RINOs and the Dems are squashing it. Too big a club for their opponents.
 
The house of reps passed it.

However, I expect a good filibuster on the Senate version.

On another note, Does the VPC think that the Seceret Service does not already treat D.C. as if there are guns everywhere?

The VPC acts like the Seceret Service has had no concern with people shooting at the White House or polititians in DC up until now? It's like they could lounge around with no concern for hidden weapons now, but the second that bill passes - everyone is a target.

If someone wanted to kill they will either ignore the DC law or wait until they left DC. A gun ban does not stop the person from trying to kill them.
 
Me thinks they doth protest too much

brandishing a firearm down the mall to your sniper hide to pick off 757s would still be problematic
 
She did say one thing that I wholeheartedly agree with...
If Congress truly believes the rhetoric used by proponents of the bill, then it should also repeal the ban on guns in the U.S. Capitol and Congressional office buildings.
 
This is what happens when you let your enemy define your terms.

One out of five police officers slain in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon.

On the face of it, that statement makes no sense. We just saw a report that assault rifles are used in less than 1% of crimes. Significantly less than 1%. (But notice I just used a different word.) What does the population think when they hear that "1 in 5" sentence? I would guess they think of the Hollywood bank robbery. Full auto AK's blasting at everything. They at least see a "military style rifle" in their mind's eye. But notice the quote said "assault weapon." So if a cop is killed with his own handgun, he was killed with an assault weapon because it had a high capacity magazine in it.

You would _think_ even Joe Sixpack would realize 1 in 5 police officers killed isn't shot with an AK. But the VPC says it so it much be true! It's certainly what the network news has implied in their coverage of the AWB.

Gregg
 
Oh no, goodness forbid that the DC gun ban be repealed! Think of all the shootings and murders that would happen!

Oh... wait a minute... :rolleyes:
 
Is there such a thing as a "semiautomatic 50 caliber sniper rifle", quoting the article? I am aware of bolt actions and have seen one in a gun shop. Is there anyone man enough to shoot a semiauto 50? I have a spent 50 BMG case on my desk and cannot picture a series of those flying from a semi auto. Wow!

As far as I know, an assault rifle is what police swat teams and the military use, having alternate modes of fire. It takes more than a big magazine to make the real thing. Few of us even own such a rifle, so the term "assault rifle" or "assault weapon" is the usual big lie or just plain ignorance. I also doubt that many criminals have or are on record as using a real assault rifle. More lies.
 
On the face of it, that statement makes no sense. We just saw a report that assault rifles are used in less than 1% of crimes. Significantly less than 1%. (But notice I just used a different word.) What does the population think when they hear that "1 in 5" sentence?

Check out their report. M-1 Carbines are included as assualt weapons, SKS are included, and MAK90's. None of those were considered 'assualt weapons', but those three alone covered almost half of police deaths from 'assualt weapons'. Also listed was the Mini-14, but IIRC, it was legal in one config, but not another. So maybe another stretched area.

http://www.vpc.org/studies/officetwo.htm

and the 1% is for all crime IIRC.

Is there such a thing as a "semiautomatic 50 caliber sniper rifle", quoting the article?
Barrett M82A1. And I woud think that a semi-auto would kick less than a bolt, but having shot neither (in .50), I don't know.
 
follow the wobbly logic

VPC considers anything banned under the 1994 law an assault weapon

large capacity magazines for pistols were banned

any police officer shot with a pistol capable of using a high cap mag...
 
VPC considers anything banned under the 1994 law an assault weapon

large capacity magazines for pistols were banned

any police officer shot with a pistol capable of using a high cap mag...

Exactly.

The Glock 17 with a ten round mag is ok. At least for now. But a Glock 17 with a 17 round magazine would fall under the 1994 definition. They would try to include it as an assault weapon. That's why they WANT to use the word assault weapon instead of assault rifle. (Plus the fact that there was a hard and fast definition for assault rifle that they couldn't meet.) Just call anything, rifle, pistol, or shotgun that looks scary an assault weapon. Nobody could really "need" or even "want" to own an assault weapon unless they were a dangerous person, right?

Gregg
 
For two cents worth,,,,,,,,,, For the murder capitol of the United States, I think ANY change to their law has to be good:)

Can we send in Eddie Eagle, and teach kids about gun safety, and then issue each of them an assault weapon on their eighteenth birthday?
 
This might deserve a thread of its own...but what would a .50 REALLY do to a commercial airliner? Seems to me that commercial jets have suffered worse and still been airworthy.
 
The bill would also legalize the sale of semiautomatic 50 caliber sniper rifles. These guns are used by our troops in Iraq and are valued for their ability to destroy parked aircraft, bring down helicopters, and pierce light armor—the type of armor used on armor-plated limousines. They are accurate up to a mile, roughly the distance from the West Front of the Capitol to the Smithsonian metro station. Under this measure, from DC, snipers could legally travel and position themselves to target and destroy passenger aircraft at National Airport.

You mean, like all the airplanes shot down at every other airport in the nation??? Oh my God won't anyone thing of the children???

My GFs place is a little over a mile from Linbergh Field. And the California ban on .50s hasn't taken effect yet! I can buy one right now and shoot down airplanes! Oh, praise be to Osama! I've got work to do...
 
is anyone man enough

Thanks for the info. To answer my own question:

"A heavy-duty Kick-Eze shoulder pad assists in reducing the felt recoil, which is no stouter than that from a lightweight shotgun. Overall, the recoil is slower than that of a shotgun and reminiscent of the H&K G3. This reduction of recoil allows rapid aimed fire to be accomplished with ease. It also allows the M82A1 to be fired from an underarm position where the rifle is braced with the issue sling and recoils straight back with no sideswing."

My tack driver is .17HMR (200yds) , so what do I know? The heaviest I have shot is a Russian 7.62 x 55 and a .30-.06. Not a big man, I opted out on the chance at a .454 Casull revolver. A crow at 275 with a .22-.250 is my longest shot. Optics almost always at 9X.

A .308 with 20X is on my list. There is a 300 range in my area.
 
I mean with all the hype you would think someone would go out, buy one and commit a crime with it.

If you can afford to throw down the cash for it you probably don't have any need to commit a crime.
 
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