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Thread: US Gun Insudtry Armed Osama bin Laden

  1. #1
    KMA
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    US Gun Insudtry Armed Osama bin Laden

    WTF?

    http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Cu.../1007-101.html


    VPC: US Gun Insudtry Armed Osama bin Laden
    U.S. Newswire
    7 Oct 11:48
    VPC: U.S. Gun Industry Armed Osama bin Laden's Terror Network:
    Al Qaeda Bought 25 Barrett 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles
    To: National Desk
    Contact: Naomi Seligman of the Violence Policy Center,
    202-822-8200 ext. 105
    E-mail: nseligman@vpc.org

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. gun industry sold
    at least twenty-five 50 caliber sniper rifles to Al Qaeda, Osama
    bin Laden's terror network, a study released by the Violence Policy
    Center (VPC) today reports. The study, Voting From the Rooftops,
    details the tremendous power of the Barrett M82A1 50 caliber sniper
    rifles-which U.S. Marines used in the Gulf War to knock out Iraqi
    armored vehicles from 1,750 yards away-and the gun's potential use
    to commit terror acts that could cause enormous casualties. The
    Barrett sniper rifle has spawned a bourgeoning market for these
    types of weapons that are becoming cheaper, lighter and more widely
    available. There are known to be at least fifteen 50-caliber sniper
    rifle manufacturers-nearly double the number of companies that were
    manufacturing and marketing 50 calibers to civilians in 1999.

    "We can be shocked, but not surprised that the gun industry
    would sell these dangerous military weapons to Al Qaeda," said the
    study's author, Tom Diaz, VPC's senior policy analyst. "These 50
    caliber sniper rifles are ideal tools for terror and
    assassination."

    Voting from the Rooftops explains the enormous range of 50
    caliber sniper rifles, the explosive power of special
    armor-piercing and armor-piercing incendiary ammunition easily
    available in the United States, and why this war-fighting power in
    the hands of Al Qaeda and other terrorists creates a grave threat
    to all Americans. Among the dangers the study details are:

    How 50 caliber sniper rifles can create disaster at industrial
    facilities handling explosive, toxic or volatile chemical-the kind
    of threat terrorism analysts already warn transforms a target into
    a weapon.

    Why a report for the Air Force warned that 50 caliber sniper
    rifles endanger aircraft, bulk fuel tanks, fuel trucks and other
    airport facilities-terrorists can turn planes into "bombs on the
    ground."

    The rash of 50 caliber sniper rifles found in the arsenals of
    domestic terrorist and extremist groups, including one that plotted
    to kill a state governor, U.S. Senator, and federal judges.

  2. #2
    I'll take two... CPU's BBA's Avatar
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    Oh well...looks like we'll just have to get them before they get us.
    Last edited by BBA; 10-10-2001 at 07:31 AM.
    WINDOWS 2000....Need I say more!


  3. #3
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    No surprise. Most of the weapons the Taliban have came from the U.S. The rest they captured from the Soviets with the U.S. weapons.

  4. #4
    Senior Member club_med's Avatar
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    Why are you surprised?

    The US government followed a tactic that many other countries have attempted (Israel, Russia, France just to name a few).

    I'm talking about the military and monetary funding of groups, in the hopes that they will be able to topple an enemy system.

    While it has proven to be a successful method, not to mention cheap too, the 'blow back' effect is very high. Often the regimes that form after the goal is achieved are very fragile and unstable, subject to change at any time.

    What often happens is that you end up creating a 'little monster' that soon becomes uncontrollable, and could turn around to hit you in the face.

    I think the US government has learnt a lesson, they seem to very cautious when asked about whether they will/are supporting the Northern Alliance.

    I sincerely hope they don't make the same mistake twice. The Northern Alliance does not seem fit to fill the power vacuum that will appear after this conflict is over, they are no different than the Taliban.

    A UN supported (initiated), broad based government is the most suitable solution in my opinion.

  5. #5
    Insane Member Warthog's Avatar
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    Actually, I think it's a somewhat false report.

    During the Afghan conflict in the '80's we gave them Barrett .50 cal sniper rifles. That was the first time they were used in combat.

    Warthog

  6. #6
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    I agree with Club_Med on this one.

    Arming a group who's politics we still don't necessarly agree with is NOT a good idea. Merely "helping" them win and take over control isn't much better. Eliminating the Taliban is our first objective though. If we need to use the Northern Alliance or any other rebel forces to accomplish that, then I'm all for it, but leaving them in power as the ruling body probably isn't in our best interest, or the best interest of Afghanistan either.

    I truthfully haven't given much thought as to what happens to Afghanistan after this is over. Right now I'm most interested, as is our Gov't, in eliminating or at least reducing the threat to the US, but there has to be a plan to get Afghanistan back on it's feet... I hope that issue is being given it's deserved consideration.

  7. #7
    Senior Member club_med's Avatar
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    I think it would be futile to leave Afghanistan in a chaotic condition after the conflict is over.

    If we want security, and if we want to prevent or minimise the repetition of the Sept 11 events, then I think we should make a huge effort to leave Afghanistan in a stable state, one that would allow the country to develop and advance.

    If it remains weak, impoverished and chaotic, it would be the perfect breeding ground for future problems, and we can be sure to have a tragic repetition of the current events.

    The innocent people of Afghanistan deserve stability and humane living conditions.

    The innocent people of the world deserve security and peace.

  8. #8
    Ultimate Member thekingofpain's Avatar
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    It was pointed out in Bin Ladins latest filmed address that he was also wearing a US military jacket...
    Behind the scenes they were probably munching on the Humanitarian Field Rations we recently airdropped as well...

  9. #9
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    jad1097,

    Please consider the source of the article you cite... the Violence Policy Center, being rabidly anti-gun ownership, could hardly be accused of being an objective commentator with no political or social agrenda.

    I'd like to see the shipping invoices to Al Qaeda and Bin laden involved individuals and groups before taking anything the VPC has to say seriously.

    This is just another chance for the far left to push their anti-gun agenda... I'm sure they'd find fault with American citizens using their own firearms to defend themselves if confronted by a terrorist as well.

    The lead headline ... "Gun Industry Arms Bin Laden" says it all... implying,not too subtly, that Colt, Ruger, Winchester, Browning etc. (in other words any company which manufactures firearms) has some nefarious, unpatriotic plan to intentionally sell arms to terrorsts, putting all of our lives in danger.

    These people have no shame... they'll use any tragedy or atrocity as a pretext for pushing their anti-gun agenda.


  10. #10
    Insane Member Warthog's Avatar
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    Good post, Harold.

    I saw on Dateline NBC an interview with one of the so-called "Northern Alliance" soldiers. They asked him why he was fighting the Taliban, he simply answered "They're not from my tribe".

    Warthog

  11. #11
    KMA
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    sheesh

    Harold,

    I just posted what I saw elsewhere, nothing more nothing less. I had no idea what VPC stands for and did not care. I don’t really care where it came from, right wing or left wing WGaF. I will now go and deliberately find some more left wing stuff for you to read.


    You doubt this but you do not doubt that our country taught these people how to fly so they could kill our people, right?


    Take a look at some of the other news on that site.
    http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/current.htm






    Oh, and I was not really suprised to read this since we all know that we have been arming people in the middle east for decades.
    Last edited by jad1097; 10-10-2001 at 04:44 PM.

  12. #12
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    I'm not too concerned about the .50 cal's. Our snipers that carry them are very well trained with them.Given equal arms,better training wins.

    It's the Russian 14.5mm I'd be worried about. A 994 grain bullet traveling at 3300 feet/sec has a LOT of muzzle energy... 24,035 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle compaired with around 14,000 for a .50cal.
    That coupled with a heavier bullet means that it's range is much farther than the .50, putting the bad guys out of the range of the US snipers.


    http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/antitank.htm
    My Drive Itches


  13. #13
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    I don't think there is a good solution to what is going on. To accomplish something....stablize a country..you have to either oppose or help them. Since we do not take over countries we only have those two choices.. You can not know what will happen in advance...so any decision you make will have results...some good, some bad.... You have to support your countries decisions....as an American....whether right or wrong...as like us...nobody is perfect. We can't let others dictate what we should do in our country..which is the best country by far.... Just make sure that our constitution stays like it is...and we don't become a ditatorship, by giving up our freedoms..like those that follow....these terrorists... I am sure.....the terrorists would love to disarm America.....destroy our constitution piece by piece.....and kill all Americans..... You can either follow them, going along with their goals or stand up for what makes us Americans..... In America you have that choice.

  14. #14
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    Both hand guns and long gun sales are at an all time high in a LONG time. Uh oh...Americans wanting to defend themselves?!?! What a horrible mess this country is coming too. I guess this is making us uncivlized.

    ILC

  15. #15
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    <snicker> Do you mean you would not wish to defend yourself, family or perhaps a friend. Give this a thought.. Which would you prefer to have if you needed someone in your foxhole... Someone that had experience in using a firearm....or someone with little to no experience. The basic reason for machine guns is to overcome the lack of experience of the user.. You get responsiblity from teaching the right use of a tool... Remember the police only come after you have a need for them....not when you need them for defence ... Defending yourself, family and country is a responsibility...YOURS, MINE. I carry a pocket knife, a tool. Suppose on the hijacked airliners....that passengers had knives..Maybe the twin towers would still be standing, all those people still alive. Mortar does not alway hold bricks together...it levels them and holds them apart...
    Last edited by Tom Jones; 10-14-2001 at 01:35 AM.

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