[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE FIFTY CALIBER SNIPER WEAPON REGULATION ACT

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, in recent years, there has been numerous 
reports regarding .50-caliber sniper rifles and the danger they pose to 
our communities and homeland security. It is important that we take 
action to prevent potential terrorists and violent criminals from 
having easy access to these dangerous weapons.
  The .50-caliber sniper rifle is a favorite weapon of militaries 
around the world. According to a report released by the Violence Policy 
Center last year, a .50-caliber sniper rifle is capable of accurately 
hitting a target over 1,500 yards away, and the ammunition available 
for the rifle includes armor-piercing, incendiary, and explosive 
bullets. The report also cites the U.S. Army's manual on urban combat, 
which states that .50-caliber sniper rifles are designed to attack bulk 
fuel tanks and other high-value targets from a distance using ``their 
ability to break through all but the thickest shielding material.'' 
According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, one of the 
leading manufacturers of the .50-caliber sniper rifle has also promoted 
their rifle's ability to destroy ``multimillion dollar aircraft with a 
single hit delivered to a vital area.''
  While these capabilities may be desirable for military purposes, the 
.50-caliber sniper rifle provides the same capabilities to terrorists 
who may use them to bring down civilian aircraft, attack critical 
infrastructure, or kill innocent Americans. Currently, these powerful 
weapons are subject to only minimal Federal regulation and are treated 
the same as other long rifles including shotguns, hunting rifles, and 
smaller target rifles. A loophole in the law, commonly known as the 
``gun show loophole,'' also allows for .50-caliber sniper rifles to be 
purchased without even a minimum background check.
  I have cosponsored the Fifty-Caliber Sniper Weapon Regulation Act 
introduced by Senator Feinstein. This bill would reclassify .50-caliber 
rifles under the National Firearms Act, NFA, treating them the same as 
other high-powered or especially lethal firearms like machine guns and 
sawed off shotguns.
  Among other things, reclassification of .50-caliber sniper rifles 
under the NFA would subject them to new registration requirements. 
Future transfers or sales of .50-caliber sniper rifles would have to be 
conducted through a licensed dealer with an accompanying background 
check. In addition, the rifle being sold would have to be registered 
with Federal authorities. The additional requirements would help ensure 
that these dangerous weapons do not fall into the hands of potential 
terrorists or violent criminals.
  We should recognize the extraordinary capabilities of .50-caliber 
sniper rifles and the danger they pose to our homeland security. I urge 
my colleagues to take up and pass the Fifty-Caliber Sniper Weapon 
Regulation Act to help protect our Nation from those who may wish to do 
us harm.

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