Rep. Moran to Introduce Legislation to Ban 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) along with DC-area public officials and law enforcement officials will hold a press conference on Monday, May 3, 2004, at 10:30 AM outside, next to the Aerospace Building, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC, to announce federal legislation to ban 50 caliber sniper rifles recognizing the clear terrorist threat such weapons represent to homeland security.

Accurate up to 2,000 yards, 50 caliber sniper rifles can penetrate armor plating, penetrate rail freight cars, and destroy aircraft, yet under federal law are as easy to buy as sporting rifles, and are sold with fewer restrictions than standard handguns. The 50 caliber sniper rifle can utilize legally available armor-piercing, incendiary, and explosive ammunition. An Armalite 50 caliber sniper rifle and ammunition will be displayed at the press conference, which overlooks freight train tracks and is within sight of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument.

This is little more than a silly excuse to hold a news conference. .50 rifles don't pose any serious threat -- certainly not on the scale of the hysteria being put forth about them. They are, basically, a very large rifle that shoots a very accurate round for a very long distance. The same sort of job a hunting rifle does. That's the real key here; if you can ban a .50 rifle, then you can ban a gun similar to a .50 -- that is, a bolt-action hunting rifle. For now, the American public are not buying it.

Luckily, it seems the conference was all wet.