Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Project Proposal

            I moved to Montana for the guns. It seemed as good a reason as any. Across the nation Montana has some of the loosest restrictions on firearms of any state. My collection is not yet complete, but I already own the pinnacle of weaponry (in my opinion). It’s the Barrett 82A1/M107, a semi-automatic, fifty caliber rifle. Hoorah!
            My project would be on both hunting and shooting with regard to the .50 BMG caliber. My secondary research would include how it has been utilized in war, the facts surrounding the capabilities of the cartridge, and the current restrictions and legislations for all of these weapons of mass destruction. Since buying my rifle, I’ve heard a great deal of misconceptions about it. From needing a permit to buy or own it, to being able to kill someone even if you miss them by a hair, I want to put a final word on many of these notions.

            I’m bound to find a few more things people think or assume about these guns. So I wanted to conduct some interviews. Since I’m heading down to California (the gun-control hornet’s nest of the US) for spring break, I might ask a few questions to people who’ve never seen a gun off of the big screen. Up here, I know there are a couple more fifty owners I’d like to talk to. I might also post up at the gun range in Livingston and offer other gun enthusiasts a couple shots for a couple thoughts.

            I wonder why so few recreational shooters own fifty caliber guns. Is it the cost, the restrictions on using it, or is it just too excessive? I wonder what capabilities it has or illegidly has that scares people and politicians the most?

3 comments:

  1. Nate, I’m pretty sure my middle son owns this gun, and like you, he is passionate about it. There is a big reaction to this sort of discussion, which you could feel even a little bit in our class. Many people just do not understand why a person would even want to own one. But that’s a real cultural difference between areas of the country. Montanans are pretty protective of their right to own and carry firearms. I think this gun has a particular history with a certain folklore. Your research will prove interesting. What makes me curious: what is your particular attraction to this gun? Did you dream about it, save up, drool over it, and finally one happy day go buy it? Have you found a group of people who like to shoot? Where? What is local reaction to it? Where did you buy it? My Grandfather was a sharpshooter for Colt(or was it Smith and Wesson, I forget) so gun lore is easy for me to understand. My brothers were hunters, and my husband and sons are hunters. Guns have been a huge part of our family, and there is a certain romance to that. But people who don’t have this historical experience look at us as if we are violent or crazy. They just don’t get it. So part of your job might be to describe and explore the underlying passion for guns. This will make for interesting class discussion.

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  2. I hunt, and have a crap load of weapons and such ranging from .22 to 1917 Eddystone 30-.06 to my favorite Sharpes 45-70...I think the 50 is a cool gun, but I just don't have any use for one, or cash to buy one. For your project I would maybe look at these questions:
    Why does anybody need a gun that big?
    Why have they been outlawed for hunting rifles? (Idaho has a weight limit to your rifle only because years ago people where using 50's and killing game miles away, and being lazy and not wanting to go get the animal).
    What is the cost of the ammo? (last I saw they are around $5 a shell)
    Again, I think they are cool guns, I have watched people shoot them and they are impressive, but truly not for everyone. I think the biggest reaction/fear/negativity is the fact that they are so lethal at long distances and the wide range of ammo is amazing for this gun. I agree with you about the stories being told about these guns and others for that matter. If you can, watch Mythbusters episode where they fired different guns into a swimming pool and what happened to the bullets at 30, 45 and 90 degree angles, it was truly impressive. As far as the 'concussion blast' killing you as the bullet flies by....ehh, more crap. I have talked to a marine sniper during Operation Desert Storm (even though snipers weren't there) and his weapon of choice was the 50. He was telling me stuff this bullet can do to humans and tanks that was just mindblowing. Hope that somewhat helps...

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  3. My father, a Navy SEAL sniper/sniper instructor/sniper instructor instructor, had me shooting fifty cals farther back than I can remember. And yes, shooting it makes me feel like a MAN. That's how it's always felt. As they say, a gun is like a second penis that can kill shit. It's not hard to see the attraction to that. What you should do is really explore the moment the gun fires and how it feels. It's a special feeling...

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