[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2006

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2862) making 
     appropriations for Science, the Departments of State, 
     Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Moran amendment 
to restrict the exportation of 50 caliber sniper rifles.
  This weapon was not built for hobbies or marksmanship, but for 
military purposes. According to its original patent filing, it was 
designed to destroy aircraft at long range, beyond security perimeters.
  Semi-automatic versions of these guns can fire as many as ten rounds 
in one minute at a plane, but it only takes one accurate hit to the 
fuselage, engine or cockpit to cause disaster.
  There are even two published books on the market that explain how to 
use this sniper weapon to attack planes and helicopters.
  All this may be why the conservative Rand Corporation, in a 1995 
report, found the 50 caliber sniper rifle to be a serious threat to 
U.S. military air bases.
  Today, nine years after that report and three and a half years after 
9/11, these terrorist weapons remain under extremely loose regulation.
  They are as easy to purchase as a regular rifle and even easier to 
purchase than a hand gun and yet we know terrorists and criminal 
organizations have sought them.
  According to the Violence Policy Center, Al Qaeda has at least 25, 
the Church Universal and Triumphants has at least 10, the IRA has 2, 
and the Militia Training Camp in Canada has 1.
  This weapon not only threatens American planes and airports, but also 
chemical and refinery plants.
  The military's top choice of ammunition for the 50 caliber is not 
only armor-piercing, but also explosive and incendiary--meaning it 
causes fire.
  That type of ammunition could easily cause a huge disaster.
  We should protect ourselves and pass the Moran Amendment.

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