May 13, 2005
To: Law Enforcement Colleagues
From: John Shanks, Director
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Law Enforcement Relations
Sub: Legislative Alert: .50 Caliber Sniper Weapons Regulation Act of 2005
Dear Colleague,
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to regulate .50 caliber sniper rifles under the
National Firearms Act (S. 935 “Fifty Caliber Sniper Weapons Regulation Act of 2005”). We are
asking for the support of your state association and your members to pass this bill and help
prevent criminals and terrorists from obtaining these dangerous weapons.
Included on this web site are documents explaining how .50 caliber sniper rifles pose a threat to
our communities and our homeland security. Please review and share this information with your
members. These weapons were designed for military use, with a range of over four miles, and
the ability to take down an airplane, pulverize concrete bunkers, destroy armored vehicles, or
penetrate several inches of steel. They have been used by known domestic and international
terrorist organizations, outlaw motorcycle gangs, religious cults, international and domestic drug
traffickers, and violent criminals.
S. 935 would impose the same legal limitations on sales and other transfers of .50 caliber sniper
rifles that now apply to machine guns. The legislation does not ban these weapons, but would
require, as with other NFA-regulated weapons, that all transfers of new or used .50 caliber sniper
rifles be regulated, subject to fingerprint background checks and approval by a local law
enforcement officer.
If you would like to include your organization’s name, as well as names of individual members
of your organization, on a letter to the U.S. Senate showing support for this valuable legislation,
please send me an e-mail at
[email protected] and tell me to include your name. My staff is
available to assist you with answering questions, or you may contact me directly at 202-289-
5791 or via e-mail.
Respectfully,
John Shanks, Director
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Law Enforcement Relations