# Serial killers who used long range rifles to kill **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816 "2017-06-12T23:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/21 "2017-06-13T16:42:37Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Why limit yourself, **mike**? Why not indict every soldier in every war since the invention of the rifled musket (circa 1850)? > > . . .Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep. . . not every soldier kills. who says I’m mocking? If you’re ok with people killing in your behalf, why not tell it like it is? mc ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/22 "2017-06-13T16:55:28Z")
As far as a serial killer goes, I think Joseph Paul Franklin is a good example [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph\_Paul\_Franklin](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Paul_Franklin) He was a white supremacist, who frequently killed interracial couples and famously shot Hustler publisher Larry Flynt. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/23 "2017-06-13T17:01:03Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > The BATFE would disagree. Pistol-Caliber Carbines are most certainly rifles. The BATF are, firstly- idiots and secondly they dont categorize long guns into rifles vs carbines. But once you do make that rather important distinction lever action long guns in a pistol caliber are indeed 'carbines". ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/24 "2017-06-13T17:15:20Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@mikecurtis](#): > > I would include every person mentioned on this page. > [List of snipers - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_snipers) Soldiers in war generally aren’t considered to be murderers, snipers aren’t considered to be serial killers, and non-combatant soldiers generally aren’t considered to be accessories to murder. If you want to make some kind of statement about the morality of soldiers killing, the Great Debates forum is probably your best bet, or maybe the Pit depending on how strongly you want to word your opinions. Keep it out of this thread, though. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/25 "2017-06-13T17:17:23Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > Definition: > A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more people, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant break between them. Different authorities apply different criteria when designating serial killers, while most set a threshold of three murders, others extend it to four or lessen it to two. > > mc I would guess your typical infantryman in a hot war has [del]murdered[/del] killed three or more people over more than a month, including a significant break between them. Yes, not every soldier is in combat; the teeth to tail ratio is pretty low in a modern army. But the support troops would be aiding and abetting in your “include every sniper” scenario, wouldn’t they? So, I ask again, why don’t you include them all and not just the one who pulls the trigger? > [@mikecurtis](#): > > not every soldier kills. > who says I’m mocking? If you’re ok with people killing in your behalf, why not tell it like it is? > > mc Well, I wouldn’t say mocking, nor would I say you’re “hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit,” but the theme of the entire poem is the _contempt_ Kipling’s contemporaries had for the typical soldier. Perhaps I’m reading too much into your post yesterday but a whiff of contempt is what I got. Correct me if I’m wrong. And, yeah, I’m okay with people killing on my behalf if need be, just as I’m okay with people arresting lawbreakers on my behalf instead of going all vigilante on the miscreant. How about [you](http://mwkworks.com/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html)? Ninja’d by a moderator. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/26 "2017-06-13T17:28:03Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > **Moderator Note** > Soldiers in war generally aren’t considered to be murderers, snipers aren’t considered to be serial killers, and non-combatant soldiers generally aren’t considered to be accessories to murder. > > If you want to make some kind of statement about the morality of soldiers killing, the Great Debates forum is probably your best bet, or maybe the Pit depending on how strongly you want to word your opinions. > > Keep it out of this thread, though. Serial killers are serial killers whether they do it legally or not. I made no statement about the morality of soldiers, its you and **desertdog** that brought it up. mc ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/27 "2017-06-13T18:10:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The BATF are, firstly- idiots and secondly they dont categorize long guns into rifles vs carbines. But once you do make that rather important distinction lever action long guns in a pistol caliber are indeed 'carbines". 1. BATFE, idiots or not, rule on the definitions. Deny them all you want, you’re still legally wrong. 2) A carbine is still a rifle. It’s a spcific sub-set of rifle, but again, you’re wrong - it is a rifle and is _considered_ a rifle. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/28 "2017-06-13T18:21:53Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > Serial killers are serial killers whether they do it legally or not. I made no statement about the morality of soldiers, its you and **desertdog** that brought it up. > > mc Actually you did do exactly that, and you just did it again here now.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Nansbread1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/29 "2017-06-13T19:02:56Z")
Back to topic. A serial killer who wanted to kill a person (probably even a stranger) from a distance could do it quite easily using a rifle and with good shooting skills. The killer could make a getaway easily. This could be repeated in another town after a brief quiet period. Given the easy availability of guns in USA why is this type of psychopathic murders unheard of. Mass shootings or spree killings was not what i was asking about. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/30 "2017-06-13T19:11:17Z")
> [@Nansbread1](#): > > Back to topic. > > A serial killer who wanted to kill a person (probably even a stranger) from a distance could do it quite easily using a rifle and with good shooting skills. The killer could make a getaway easily. This could be repeated in another town after a brief quiet period. > > Given the easy availability of guns in USA why is this type of psychopathic murders unheard of. > > Mass shootings or spree killings was not what i was asking about. Hunting rifles are still easy to get in many nations. The thing is- they could but what would be the point? Sociopaths are actually below normal on the IQ scale. They have strange motives. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/31 "2017-06-13T19:23:46Z")
> [@Nansbread1](#): > > Back to topic. > > A serial killer who wanted to kill a person (probably even a stranger) from a distance could do it quite easily using a rifle and with good shooting skills. The killer could make a getaway easily. This could be repeated in another town after a brief quiet period. > > Given the easy availability of guns in USA why is this type of psychopathic murders unheard of. > > Mass shootings or spree killings was not what i was asking about. The reason why I asked initially was to see if you wanted to exclude close range execution by rifle, which it sounds like you do. Rifles are **loud** , and there are methods to ascertain the source of the shot. The guy I posted did his “most dangerous game” killings in a very rural area. Muhammad and Malvo did manage to stay at large in an urban area, but they’re probably the exception, not the rule. ---
**Author:** ![Nansbread1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/32 "2017-06-13T19:35:23Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > The reason why I asked initially was to see if you wanted to exclude close range execution by rifle, which it sounds like you do. > > Rifles are **loud** , and there are methods to ascertain the source of the shot. The guy I posted did his “most dangerous game” killings in a very rural area. Muhammad and Malvo did manage to stay at large in an urban area, but they’re probably the exception, not the rule. Hansen came into close cntact with his victims. He imprisoned them too. My query was almost like stranger killing. No contact no witness, just long range murders and getaway. The only link would be method and ballistic evidence from bodies. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/33 "2017-06-13T19:42:52Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@mikecurtis](#): > > Serial killers are serial killers whether they do it legally or not. I made no statement about the morality of soldiers, its you and **desertdog** that brought it up. Soldiers killing in battle is generally not considered to be murder. If you are unable or unwilling to understand that distinction, do not post again in this thread. Any further discussion of soldiers as serial killers in this thread will get you a warning. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/34 "2017-06-13T19:50:57Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > Soldiers killing in battle is generally not considered to be murder. If you are unable or unwilling to understand that distinction, do not post again in this thread. > > Any further discussion of soldiers as serial killers in this thread will get you a warning. I’ve already started a new [thread,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=828583) ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/35 "2017-06-13T20:24:42Z")
I know of a couple candidates who would have fit the bill if they’d been better shots. [James Kopp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Charles_Kopp) killed one person (Dr. Barnett Slepian), but is a suspect in several non-fatal shootings of abortion providers in Ontario and Western New York in the 1990s. [Charles McCoy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_highway_sniper_attacks) shot at several people over several months in Ohio in 2003 and killed one man. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816/36 "2017-06-13T20:34:16Z")
> [@Nansbread1](#): > > Back to topic. > > A serial killer who wanted to kill a person (probably even a stranger) from a distance could do it quite easily using a rifle and with good shooting skills. The killer could make a getaway easily. This could be repeated in another town after a brief quiet period. > > Given the easy availability of guns in USA why is this type of psychopathic murders unheard of. > > Mass shootings or spree killings was not what i was asking about. Perhaps the distance involved deprives the serial killer of the reward they seek. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serial-killers-who-used-long-range-rifles-to-kill/788816.md?page=1)