"sniper rifle" investigation asked

firkin

firkin

Joined
Jan 26, 2002
Messages
2,737
As per recent predictions:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee called on federal officials Thursday to investigate the marketing of sniper rifles, saying the weapons "pose a real danger to the civilian population."

The request from Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, came as the Washington metropolitan area was being terrorized by a string of nine shootings, including seven deaths, by what police believe to be an elusive gunman. Each of the victims was hit by a single bullet fired from a distance, using a military-style rifle or hunting rifle.

Conyers wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the marketing of military rifles to the American public. "There is no legitimate purpose for a military rifle than to make war," Conyers said. "There is no reason these rifles should be
marketed to civilians."

Conyers complained that ads for military style rifles boast of being able to shoot down airplanes and helicopters, and shooting through armored vehicles. "Sniper rifles pose a real danger to the civilian population," he said.

The FTC opened an investigation into the marketing of violent movies, music and video games to children after a series of school shootings, including the Littleton, Colo., massacre at Columbine High School in which two students killed 13 people before committing suicide, Conyers said.

The FTC said it would consider the request.

Sooooo predictable! :barf:

Side note:
"...police believe to be an elusive gunman..."

:confused: Believe??? I'd say it's a damn FACT.
 
Ho Hum...... and so the lemmings go marching yet again. :mad:

Conyers complained that ads for military style rifles boast of being able to shoot down airplanes and helicopters, and shooting through armored vehicles.
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I have no idea what he is babbling about (he doesn't either), but, I like to buy one of these. It sounds like at least a 30mm chain gun with spent uranium projectiles. :eek: :confused: :rolleyes:

n2s
 
did someone jsut now wake up and realize that guns can be dangerous? ;) You think those are bad, you should check out automobiles. still kill more folks than guns per year.

Keith
 
Conyers complained that ads for military style rifles boast of being able to shoot down airplanes and helicopters, and shooting through armored vehicles.
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I thought he might be referring to an older, .50 weapon I'd seen referred to, that at one point got a lot of publicity because it was thought that the Afghans may have had some. But the thing is truely humungous, and doubt that it and especially any explosive or depleted uranium rounds, if they even exist, are "marketed to the American Public".

I'd settle for making him produce the advertisement.

EDIT:

Hmmm, offhand I'd say he has information that resembles this:

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

I sure don't know enough to comment on the claimed capabilities--maybe you can buy one though....
 
They didn't bother to find out that these things cost thousands of dollars each, weigh on the order of 35 pounds and kick worse than Bruce Lee. Not the sort of thing you'd take out hippy-hunting at Kent State... Pardon my poor taste.

I am almost completely convinced now: The world is either full of smart manipulative people dealing misinformation to ignorant sheep, or it is just plain full of dumb people who arm-wave at politicians in fear every time something bad happens.

"Govern us, Govern us! Take away our freedom, as long as we are safe!", the masses cry. "As long as we can eat Pepsi burgers and drink Pepsi while listening to Pepsi 'soul music' and watching Pepsi-owned sports on TV and get fat, who cares if we have civic responsibilities? Let the Government do all the work."

Another hundred years of this crap and North America will be the Land of Dumb People in a Guilded Cage.

:(
 
They should get some Marine scout snipers up there to hunt this guy down. They certainly have the training.
 
There's been some buzz about the 50 cal rifles in the past. But I highly doubt that there's been a criminal incident with one recently - the rifle's expensive, the ammo's expensive, they're rarer than deer rifles, etc. etc.

By accounts I've read (NYtimes) this guy is a mediocre sniper as far as shooting goes - he's taking shots shorter than your average elk hunter. His skill does get some respect for concealment and escape/evasion, though. (besides the results, which you can't argue with)

My $.002
 
His skill at concealment and escape/evasion is limited to driving away in a white van according to reports I read. When are they going to just admit that this is terrorist act? Our restricted rights have not made us safer. Go figure...:mad:

-SB
 
I too think this is a terrorist attack. They know that firearms are a hot topic in congress. They have national coverage.

However, they shoot as well as a 10 year old. A .223 at ~100 yards scoped at a man sized target...I know kids that can hit apples and oranges at that distance with larger calibers that kick harder!

Too bad all the civilians in the area dont have the right to arm themselves.
 
If somebody was able to shoot the sniper they would probably face trial for murder rather than getting the medal they deserve.
 
Originally posted by SharpBits
His skill at concealment and escape/evasion is limited to driving away in a white van according to reports I read.
-SB
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Yup. I'm was just saying that, whatever his methods, he's killed many people, and hasn't been caught yet. Therefore, he is a threat, and care must be taken. It doesn't matter if you prick your finger with a needle and die, or get hit with a ballistic missle, you're still dead.

If this guy were operating on a battlefield, given how he's been operating, he would be toast. Then again, it probably wouldn't have gotten this far if, after each incident, everyone in the area went sniper hunting. (my opinions only)
 
To me these are terrorist acts centered in soft suburban communities. If the guy were in thougher community he would have to shoot fast, because a second round would coming in pretty fast on his return address. The people of DC will need to make a minimal effort to protect them selves. If they invest a little care in each other, this terrorist would find himself lynched within a day.

n2s
 
I do not believe a .50 cal weapon has ever been adverstised by it's ability to shoot down helicopters. As someone said, they weigh a lot, are large, make a big noise, and cost a fortune. There has never been a crime committed with one.

The police may know what weapon the sniper is using but we don't. If it's a Rem bolt is that to be an outlawed class of rifle? I'm thinking it may be an AR style because he left a shell casing, lends to the idea in the 'excitment' of his depravity the gun sent the case flying and he drove off fast. Since he's only firing one shot what difference in the world what the rifle looks like or if it's semi auto?!!! Dumb, as dumb as I've come to expect over the years from conyers. If that's what Michigan wants...like Ca. having Boxer or NY getting Hillary!

What could Marines do to this guy? How many Marines would we have to land to cover a 200 mile area?

The worst thing, second to the poor families, is that this clown is on his way to a 'record' and will get his 15 minutes of fame.

Too bad he can't be caught red handed, torn apart alive by the mob and only identified later by DNA...that might discourage copy cats.

Now if I were King, I might have him staked to a roadway and ten thousand white panel minivans roll over him....

munk
 
evaluated for the net effect it will have
on His campaign fund-raising effort AND subject to
the "sound-bite" grid.

If all He has to do is say something that will get attention
from the media, and can not or does not rely on any statistics or applied research, AND which will demonstrate that he thinks "bad things are bad," it falls within the "sound bite" grid.

I, for one, am reassured to find out that he thinks sniping at civilians is a bad idea. Now if he had ANY notion of what he was talking about regarding (excuse me, I lost track here: Is he against the advertisements, or the wording?), then the horse's patooie might be able to 1, shut up; 2, support the effort to track through some local law-eforcement funding recommendations; 3, try not to back-door start a discussion about weaponry and citizenship.

Sometimes..... these election year jerks get to me.


Kis
:rolleyes:
 
To me these are terrorist acts centered in soft suburban communities. If the guy were in thougher community he would have to shoot fast, because a second round would coming in pretty fast on his return address>>>Not2sharp

Absolutely; he's shooting fish in a barrel. One of the larger concentrations of unarmed Americans in the Nation. You'd think someone would connect the dots...

munk
 
They didn't bother to find out that these things cost thousands of dollars each, weigh on the
order of 35 pounds and kick worse than Bruce Lee. Not the sort of thing you'd take out
hippy-hunting at Kent State... Pardon my poor taste.
Well I recently bothered enough to poke around on the net. Looks like a few little shops will make something for about 2 K. Ugly as hell. Heavy, long suckers, but one sporting lots of carbon fiber composite weighed in the low 20 lbs. That was in the 5-8 K range as I recall. Scopes gotta be big bucks too.

What is not mentioned is the accuracy at the longer ranges ranted about. With bench rest, and custom match rounds (price for these ??--Got to be lots more than surplus Browning machine gun rounds), grouping around 1 inch per 100 yards was given. Is this really that different than other large calibers?

The world is either full of smart manipulative people dealing misinformation to ignorant sheep
Seems to describe both the pieces in my earlier posts. No relation betwee .50 calibers and the current situation exists.

Looks to me like the shooter's equivalent of a driver owning a Hummer. Very big, very expensive, and more than enough. Niche item. Sounds like good old American consumerism and conspicuous consumption to me. But let's ban "military vehicles" first...more accidents and intentional stupid use there. ;)
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But let's ban "military vehicles" first...more accidents and intentional stupid use there.

That would include all the SUVs the urbanites are driving, yes?

For, as well all know, they are really off-road military personnel carriers--artfully camoflagued, yes?

And, I have some serious concerns about catapults...and books that discuss war, fighting, weapons, techniques, lesseee...oh history.

I KNOW I should never read politician's statements! I know it, and still, every now and then....

muttermuttermutter


Kis
:rolleyes:
 
As long as we can eat Pepsi burgers and drink Pepsi while listening to Pepsi 'soul music' and watching Pepsi-owned sports on TV and get fat, who cares if we have civic responsibilities? Let the Government do all the work.
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Hey I think Pepsi tastes good:D :barf:

Though seriously, the same guys who cry out to ban weapons that would never see their hands into common crimes (last time I checked what gun the local drug dealer was carrying it was a piss poor .22), are the same guys who enjoy seeing children dressed up/acting like whores (ala. Britney Spears).:mad: :barf:

Im a big believer that we live in the freest country, with the most opportunity in the world, but how long will that last before the media and politicians finish their work:mad:
 
...I'm prejudiced. I don't even like the way Conyer looks...seems to me the more strident and insane among the democrats look that way too.

I just read they found the shell casing the same place they found the taro card. Case could be a plant, picked up from a range by the two (?) men.

munk
 
(last time I checked what gun the local drug dealer was carrying it was a piss poor .22), are the same guys who enjoy seeing children dressed up/acting like whores (ala. Britney Spears).
>>

if this seems off the wall, it is referring to the fact our society now robs children of their childhood and dresses them as thirty year olds with sex appeal. It didn't seem off the wall to me.

That this is common raises not a brow, but guns kill is taken as gospel.
That's why Walter Williams called this Bizarro World, after the Superman comic, a world where all known logic is reversed.

munk
 
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