In Follow Up

In a follow up to a post from last week about the CCRKBA's complaint against CNN for pointing out the dangers of easy access to .50 calibur weapons (Link), here is a press release from the Freedom States Alliance, a group of state organizations about the issue.

'50 Caliber Terror' Website Launched to Warn of Terrorist Access to .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles in the United States
Contact: Thom Mannard of Freedom States Alliance, 312-341-0939; Mark Karlin, 312-474-1740

CHICAGO, March. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- On February 28th, Freedom States Alliance launched the website http://www.50caliberterror.com to inform the public that terrorists can buy .50 caliber sniper rifles in the United States easier than a person can buy a handgun.

Because .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles pose a threat to shooting down civilian airliners on landing or take-off, Freedom States Alliance, a group of state organizations, is working to limit their availability to the military and law enforcement personnel.

The only state that currently restricts the ownership and possession of .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles is California, where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) signed a law last fall that does not allow civilian purchase of such weapons of terror.

New Jersey and Illinois, among other states, are considering such legislation. In Illinois the "Anti-Terrorism and Aviation Protection Act" to restrict the sale of .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles to military and law enforcement personnel has been introduced.

"Our strategy against terrorists, to quote President Bush (news - web sites), must be one of pre-emption," says Thom Mannard, Executive Director of the Illinois Council, a participant in Freedom States Alliance. "The manufacturers and sellers of .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles advertise and sell the terrorist weapons on the Internet and in catalogues, making them readily available throughout the world for terrorists to view and for terrorist agents in the United States to purchase."

"Our message to those who oppose stopping terrorists from easily buying .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles that can shoot down planes landing and taking off is this: You are either for taking pre-emptive action against terrorism or you are for enabling the terrorists," Mannard warned.

Armored piercing bullets can be used with .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles, further endangering civilian aviation, fuel tanks and military and police vehicles.

.50 Caliber Sniper Rifles can shoot accurately from over a mile away, thus being capable of being deployed outside the security perimeter of airports.

Americans wanting to can keep .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles out of the hands of terrorists can sign up for further information at http://www.50caliberterror.com.