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State Rep. Karen May to Introduce Legislation Restricting the Sale
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
State Rep. Karen May to Introduce Legislation Restricting the Sale of .50 Caliber Sniper Rifles To: State Desk, Assignment Reporter Contact: Karen May, 217-782-0902, or Kirsten Curley of ICHV, 312-339-0560 News Advisory: Who: State Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park), and Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV) Executive Director Thomas Mannard What: Rep. May will introduce legislation to restrict the sale of .50 caliber military sniper rifles in Illinois. The .50 caliber military sniper rifle is currently classified as only a long gun, making it easier to purchase than a handgun These guns have the capacity to pierce armor plating and concrete and have an accuracy range of up to 2 miles. A brief video will show the capabilities of the weapon. Where: Springfield, State Capital Blue Room When: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 Why: Under current Illinois law, .50 caliber military sniper rifles are easier to purchase than handguns. Purchasers need only to be 18 years old, and have a valid Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card. State law currently requires handgun purchasers to be 21 years old. Sellers of .50 caliber military sniper rifles do not have to be federally licensed dealers, and are not subject to the Brady Law requiring a criminal background check on buyers. These rifles were used by the United States during the Gulf War and are prized for their ability to accurately hit a target as far as two miles away, pierce armor plating and concrete, and to "take down" aircraft. The purchase of 25 Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifles has been traced to Osama bin Laden. These rifles also have been used by the Irish Republican Army and Hezbollah. Cult leader David Koresh and members of his Branch Davidians fired on federal agents using .50 caliber military sniper rifles. These weapons are easily accessible at gun shops and over the Internet either whole or in kits. Conversion kits are available to transform assault rifles such as AK 47's into a .50 caliber sniper rifle. The .50 Caliber Shooters Association estimates there may be as many as 20,000 of these rifles in civilian hands. Rep. May's bill is an integral piece of Illinois's homeland security. http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/temp/0109-129.html