# Who is the Iowa group calling for the banning of 50 cal. sniper rifles
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 28, 2001, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678 "2001-11-28T07:28:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/1 "2001-11-28T07:28:35Z")
I would like names.Where do I find them?
I don’t see that gun a particular threat.Actually I don’t see any gun a real threat.
What does a 50 cal completely tricked out sniper rifle cost?
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### Author:  [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/2 "2001-11-28T07:47:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by justwannano \*
> I don’t see that gun a particular threat.
[This guy](http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/northern_ireland/newsid_1482000/1482426.stm), obviously, would disagree with you.
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### Author:  [@sirjamesp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirjamesp)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/3 "2001-11-28T07:51:03Z")
Well, if I was in Iowa, I’d join their group.
There is no _need_ for anyone outside the military to own a sniper rifle.
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### Author:  [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/4 "2001-11-28T07:57:59Z")
Please provide a link. There have been bad words against the 50 cal from Henry Waxman and Rod Blagojevich but they’re from California and Illinois, respectively.
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### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/5 "2001-11-28T08:02:42Z")
This thread will be closed as soon as we get the name of the group.
Prognostications by Derleth.
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### Author:  [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/6 "2001-11-28T08:46:52Z")
You should check the [NRA](http://www.nra.org), they probably have some info. Sorry, I am too busy to do much searching.
There are several groups pushing the ban of the .50 cal rifle, the most prolific being the [Violence Policy Center](http://www.vpc.org). I have no idea what state they are in though.
The price for a .50 caliber rifle varies depending on model and quality, much like other guns. You can get a mountain gun for around $800, and a top of the line sniper for around $15,000. (Sorry, I don’t have cites, this is just from memory) Average price was around $5000 or so. Contrary to one study the gun control advocates had, you cannot routinely buy a .50 cal for $20. And while they MIGHT fire a round 5 miles, (under PERFECT conditions) you would need the Hubble telescope mounted on your rifle to see that far, and even then your accuracy would be awful.(Due to breathing, muscle contractions, etc.)
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### Author:  [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/7 "2001-11-28T14:19:39Z")
Google searches for “Iowa gun control group ban 50 caliber rifle” not working, I turn to the Iowa Weapons Laws–what’s currently forbidden.
[http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/asd/wp/#Types%20of%20Permits](http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/asd/wp/#Types%20of%20Permits)
[quote]
Offensive weapons are illegal in Iowa and cannot be owned or carried by the general population. To carry a dangerous weapon concealed on or about your person, a valid permit to carry weapons is required.
[ul]
[li]Offensive weapons - machine guns, short barreled rifles (less than 16" in length) and shotguns (barrels less than 18" in length or overall length less than 26"), other weapons which fire a projectile and have a barrel 6/10th of an inch or greater in diameter, bombs, grenades, mines, poison gas, rockets with more than four ounces of propellant, ballistic knives, exploding shells and similar items.[/li][li]Dangerous weapons - devices designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury including, but not limited to, offensive weapons, pistols, revolvers, other firearms, daggers, razors, stilettos, switchblade knives, or any knife with a blade exceeding five inches. [/ul][/li][/quote]
It looks to me like maybe something like a sniper rifle is already illegal in Iowa (“other weapons which fire a projectile and have a barrel 6/10th of an inch or greater in diameter,”) which might explain why I can’t find anything.
Are you sure it’s an Iowa group? My suggestion would be to search the archives of your biggest Iowa newspapers for “Iowa gun control sniper rifle”.
[http://newslink.org/ianews.html](http://newslink.org/ianews.html)
The Violence Policy Center says it’s a “national” group, not based in Iowa.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/8 "2001-11-28T14:25:29Z")
What’s the difference between a “sniper rifle” and a “long range target rifle”?
FWIW, I’ve never heard of a criminal using a Barrett .50. It’s not exactly easy to conceal. I did talk to an ordnance disposal person at Edwards AFB. He said the Barrett is not a comfortable rifle to shoot from a bipod (forget shooting from the shoulder) and that they prefer mounting it on a Humvee.
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### Author:  [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/9 "2001-11-28T14:27:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Duck Duck Goose \*
> **It looks to me like maybe something like a sniper rifle is already illegal in Iowa (“other weapons which fire a projectile and have a barrel 6/10th of an inch or greater in diameter,”) which might explain why I can’t find anything.**
Erhm, DDG - unless Iowa’s got some really funky laws, I can’t see how a 0.50 (5/10 of an inch) diameter barrel is covered by laws banning barrels greater than 6/10 of an inch?
Or am I missing something?
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### Author:  [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/10 "2001-11-28T15:27:32Z")
The statement was on CNN’s ticker tape like thing,(what do you call that anyway,)at about midnight last night. I went to CNN’s website and couldn’t find anything. I’m not really familiar with their site.
Iowa isn’t really known for its antigun fanatics.I’m sure we have them though.
IMHO we don’t need cadilacs either.
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### Author:  [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/11 "2001-11-28T15:50:53Z")
CNN’s ticker tape like thing = “news zipper” or “news crawl”
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### Author:  [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/12 "2001-11-28T16:03:27Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \*
> \*\*What’s the difference between a “sniper rifle” and a “long range target rifle”?
>
> \*\*
A long range target rifle generally has a special stock, barrel, etc., customized to fit the user that is very sensitive to minute changes. Whereas a sniper rifle is a bit more rugged. This is not the one I was looking for, but it is a decent picture.
[http://qconline.com/sniper30/R-W-Vert.jpg](http://qconline.com/sniper30/R-W-Vert.jpg)
As far as a .50 cal being used in a crime, the VPC has a fact sheet that claims they have. However, each instance they give doesn’t sound quite right to me. It would be interesting to see the entire report.
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### Author:  [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/13 "2001-11-28T16:11:45Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by sirjamesp \*
> \*\*Well, if I was in Iowa, I’d join their group.
>
> There is no _need_ for anyone outside the military to own a sniper rifle. \*\*
Ah, the “needs-based rights” fallacy. Did you forget which Forum you were in? :rolleyes:
Just a note of caution - Gun Rights Advocates have been burned a couple times by fake stories/urban legends of “sniper rifle” bans in the past. The one I remember most was an alleged bill in 1995 which would have made all weapons of greater than 2000 ft/s muzzle velocity illegal. So be careful about checking the source which quotes such a movement.
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### Author:  [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/14 "2001-11-28T16:15:40Z")
Wow!! A whopping 7 crimes committed since 1990. :eek:
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### Author:  [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/15 "2001-11-28T16:19:06Z")
As of 10:17 am its still on News crawl.
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### Author:  [@45ACP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/45ACP)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/16 "2001-11-28T16:23:14Z")
This is a link to a pro-gun site which talks about the .50BMG
[http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=2762](http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=2762)
It includes additional links to sites with legislation to ban these weapons.
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### Author:  [@sail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sail)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/17 "2001-11-28T16:33:01Z")
In the USA during all of its existence, no one has ever murdered with one of these weapons. Read the violence policy list of crimes and notice how they skirt around this fact. ([http://www.vpc.org/snipercrime.htm](http://www.vpc.org/snipercrime.htm)) Why would you kill someone with a heavy $5000 gun when a $500 deer-hunting rifle would work better?
These riles are primarily used for long-range target competitions. If they are being purchased to murder then they must be very ineffective since no one has ever successfully used one that way. If anyone has ever been illegally killed by one on these weapons in the USA don’t you think the VPC would have listed it? Of course they would have.
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### Author:  [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/18 "2001-11-28T16:42:33Z")
> [@](#):
>
> _Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \*
> \*\*
> FWIW, I’ve never heard of a criminal using a Barrett .50. It’s not exactly easy to conceal._\*
My thoughts as well. If you’re worried about criminals abusing guns, this weapon has to be the **last** to ban.
It’s hard to conceal, probanly kicks back, heavy to lug around, makes a boom that’s sure to attract the attention of every poilice officer for miles and if .50 rounds cost anything like what they used to when I wore green, becoming competent in using it is a costly proposition.
You’ll notice that even in nations with strict gun laws, getting a long gun permit is **way** easier than a permit for a handgun - for most of the above reasons.
Feh. Someone’s pushing feel-good legislation.
S. Norman
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### Author:  [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/19 "2001-11-28T16:45:38Z")
Exactly.
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### Author:  [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-iowa-group-calling-for-the-banning-of-50-cal-sniper-rifles/95678/20 "2001-11-28T19:38:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Spiny Norman \*
> \*\*
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > _Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \*
> > \*\*
> > FWIW, I’ve never heard of a criminal using a Barrett .50. It’s not exactly easy to conceal._\*
>
> My thoughts as well. If you’re worried about criminals abusing guns, this weapon has to be the **last** to ban.
>
> \*\*
Give me a break. We all know joe crackdealer slings a 6 foot, 35 pound rifle around to fire it at his enemies side-wristed gangsta style.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> It’s hard to conceal, probanly kicks back, heavy to lug around, makes a boom that’s sure to attract the attention of every poilice officer for miles and if .50 rounds cost anything like what they used to when I wore green, becoming competent in using it is a costly proposition.
>
> \*\*
You wouldn’t believe the blast and sound these things give off. You can hear them at ranges of 3 or 4 times a typical rifle or handgun. And if you’re within 20 feet or so, the thing will jiggle your intestines.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> You’ll notice that even in nations with strict gun laws, getting a long gun permit is **way** easier than a permit for a handgun - for most of the above reasons.
> \*\*
Shh. Big gun, evil. You could blow up new york from chicago with a .50 cal.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*
> Feh. Someone’s pushing feel-good legislation.
>
> S. Norman \*\*
There’s so little that isn’t, in this field.
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