In a rare show of restraint, a New York State Senate committee has narrowly defeated a measure that would ban ownership of .50-caliber rifles in the state.
Sen. Bill 2050 was the brainchild of Democrat Sen. Daniel Squadron, who had stated: “My bill would protect New Yorkers against certain high-powered .50-caliber rifles that have the capacity to kill a human from more than a mile away, pierce body and vehicle armor, and destroy military and civilian infrastructure. Today these weapons are available in New York state without registration or a permit.”
Of course, .50-caliber rifles aren’t commonly used by criminals for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that they cost thousands of dollars, the ammo costs nearly $3 a round, and most weigh in the 30-lb. range and are four feet long.
