My "contribution" to their web site.......................................
Dear Sir,
After reading your "opinion" of the dangers of .50 caliber BMG rifles, I felt I needed to challenge some information that you reported. Your statment that .50 caliber BMG rifles are sniper and/or assasin rifles is completely unsubstanuated. While they could be used for that, so can many others. The US Army uses several different calibers for snipers, do we classify them all as sniper, and ban them. While we're on the subject, what about the .32 caliber that the assasin used to shoot Ferdinand and supposedly started WW I? This is considered little more than a plinking round by most experts today, but was very populr to many armies through the years.
Your ancedotes that you quote, list only a couple actual crimes commited with the .50 caliber BMG rifle. In one case (Top prosecutors in Ariz., Mexico target smuggling," Arizona Republic, March 14, 2008), there was no mention if this rifle was purchased legally. As we know, very few criminals obey the laws, we would be better off enforcing the laws that are presently on the books, and more closely applying the punishment requirements that we have. The other (Arrest made in Polk County wildfire: deputies determined high-powered rifle caused fire," Statesman Journal, September 11, 2007), was the result of poor judgement on his part. But how many other wild fires are started every year, by poor judgement, but didn't involve a firearm? Do we ban matches, lighters, camp fires, cigarettes, etc.? Prosecute the person for poor judgement of carelessly starting the fire, don't blame the "camp fire". Also in this example the Sheriff stated "The problem with a weapon like this is that you can't safely shoot it anywhere.". This statement is completely without merit. I know of many places that are safe to shoot this rifle, and there are probably hundreds/thousands more. A blanket statment such as this one, with absolutely no proof or evidence, should not be dignified with quoting, unless you have a predisposed intent to spread misinformation to further a personal agenda.
Most of the other examples are nothing more than a suspected or potential criminal was in possesion of the .50 caliber BMG rifle. There are numerous laws presently in place to deal with every instance that you mention. Not once did you document any instance of a legally acquired rifle being used in a crime. Passing new laws that punish law abiding citizens are not the answer. Any laws that are passed, will be ignored by the criminals and only accomplish to tread on the Constitutional Right "....To Keep And Bear Arms...."
Sincerely
Brian Alcaraz