February
28, 2005--Perhaps inspired by CNN and CBS's segments on .50 caliber
rifles, or perhaps emboldened by California's recent ban on those
rifles, Illinois lawmakers have proposed a ban on .50 caliber
rifles in the state.
Legislation introduced by state Democrat
Representative Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook and Republican Representative
Beth Coulson of Glenview would ban the further possession of the
rifles. Similar legislation passed in California in September
of 2004 (see 9/14/2004
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Signs Ban On .50 Caliber Guns,
Ammunition ).
Referring to the rifles as "sniper
rifles," and claiming that the rifles are capable of bringing
down airliners from 2,000 feet away, anti-gun legislators are
apparently trying to seize momentum provided by sensational news
stories. Those stories have often been fed to the media by the
Brady Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, the Violence Policy
Center, and other gun-control groups.
Lost in the emotionally-driven debate
are a few facts: no person in the US has ever been killed with
a .50 caliber rifle, nor has any aircraft in the US has ever been
shot down with one of these rifles.
Further, proponents of such bans should
look at the history of military aircraft: through most of the
last century, and continuing into this century, military aircraft
have been equipped with multiple .50 caliber, belt-fed machine
guns. Yet, as any veteran fighter pilot would attest, downing
an enemy aircraft with a couple of hits from a .50 caliber gun
isn't a likely scenario.
While the .50 BMG is indeed a formidable
cartridge, anti-gun forces have grossly exaggerated its potential
as a destructive device. Those who advocate banning the cartridge
have claimed that it can disable tanks from miles away, penetrate
armored limousines from across town, or even blow up nuclear reactors,
which are designed to withstand the impact of a missile.
Not content to let facts stand in the
way, Thom Mannard of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence
told the Chicago Sun Times: "It is hard to imagine how anyone
could be against preventing .50-caliber sniper rifles from falling
into the wrong hands."
In an apparent attempt to appease those
who hunt with muzzleloaders, the proposed legislation would exempt
black powder rifles and other "recreational guns" that
fire projectiles more than .50" in diameter.
Ironically, one of the most popular manufacturers
of .50 caliber rifles--Armalite--is located in Geneseo, Illinois.
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