[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 144 (Thursday, October 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FIFTY CALIBER--WEAPON OF CHOICE FOR CRIMINALS

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am a cosponsor S. 505, a bill introduced 
by Senator Feinstein to strengthen the regulation of long-range fifty 
caliber sniper weapons. These weapons are among the most powerful, and 
least regulated, firearms legally available. Information provided by 
the Violence Policy Center demonstrates why Senator Feinstein's 
legislation is so important.
  According to the VPC's analysis, the ease with which fifty caliber 
weapons are purchased has made them popular with criminals and fringe 
groups. For example, in February of 1992, a Wells Fargo armored 
delivery truck was attacked in a ``military style operation'' in 
Chamblee, Georgia, by several men using a smoke grenade and a fifty 
caliber sniper rifle. Two employees were wounded. And according to the 
General Accounting Office, fifty caliber sniper rifles have been found 
in the armories of drug dealers in California, Missouri, and Indiana.
  In March of 1998, in my home State of Michigan, Federal law 
enforcement officers arrested three members of a radical group known as 
the North American Militia. The men were charged with plotting to bomb 
Federal office buildings, destroy highways, utilities and public roads, 
and assassinate a number of Federal officials. A fifty caliber sniper 
rifle was among the weapons found in their possession.
  Fifty caliber weapons are too powerful and too accessible to be 
ignored any longer. Tighter regulations are needed. I urge my 
colleagues to support Senator Feinstein's bill.

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