[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              VEST BUSTER

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I have long been concerned about a new 
.50 caliber handgun manufactured by Smith and Wesson Corporation 
declared the ``most powerful production revolver in the world today.'' 
Now, the Violence Policy Center reports that these handguns can blast 
through the body armor of our nation's law enforcement officers. This 
should disturb all Americans and all who care about the safety of our 
law enforcement personnel.
  This new weapon fires a .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum bullet packing a 
muzzle force of 2,600 foot-pounds. The bullet is half an inch wide and 
is more powerful than comparable ammunition because it is much longer 
and contains more gunpowder. According to the Violence Policy Center's 
analysis, the .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum round far exceeds the 
protection level of the highest grade of concealable body armor 
normally used by law enforcement officers.
  Body armor has saved the lives of countless numbers of law 
enforcement officers because of its ability to stop handgun rounds. The 
.500 Smith & Wesson Magnum round is more powerful than some rifle 
rounds. According to data compiled by the Violence Policy Center, 
during the 1990 to 1999 period, 20 officers were killed by gunshot 
wounds as a result of rounds penetrating their body armor. A rifle 
fired each one of these rounds. However, the .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum 
takes pistol power to rifle-power level and presents a deadly challenge 
to the life-saving record of law enforcement's body armor.
  The decision to produce the .50 caliber handgun represents a great 
step backward in efforts to improve gun safety. Instead of sensible 
steps to make guns safer and keep guns from getting into the wrong 
hands, this moves in the opposite direction, creating a handgun that is 
reported to have double the power of most assault rifles.
  I am a cosponsor of the Military Sniper Weapon Regulation Act, a bill 
which would change the way .50 caliber sniper rifles are regulated by 
placing them under the requirements of the National Firearms Act. This 
bill would subject the sniper rifles to the same regimen of 
registration and background checks as other weapons of war, such as 
machine guns. The new Smith and Wesson .50 caliber handgun should be 
included in this legislation.

                          ____________________