Generally the argument as I understand it is this: Taxing (and/or) taking off aircraft VS the 50 cal.
Now granted the big 50 is known as an anti-materials round, but an aircraft is far from an armored vehicle. It is composed of easily permeable aircraft aluminum. Even a .22 caliber rifle can pierce it's hull with ease.
The second argument is range: but the standard .308 cartridge can make it out to 1000 yards. As can every rifle caliber above it all the way up to the 50 cal. What distances are you worried about? Meaning at what range is a bullet dangerous to aircraft? 500 yards? 700 yards? Most any bolt action rifle (in any caliber) is capable of punching holes at that range. Not to mention hitting something the size of 747 is the literal equivalent of hitting the broad side of a barn.
Third: what kind of damage might we expect from a 50 cal hit onto an aircraft being that it has never before happened? When metal hits metal you get a hole, and in the case of the 50 you get a hole that is exactly 1/2" in diameter. If neither fuel or engine is hit what kind of damage might we expect? And if Fuel or engine is hit will a .511" hole be more devastating then a .338" hole that could theoretically be created by a standard Elk rifle?
Not every one is knowledgeable firearms and ballistics, but one could simply check out Youtube or watch the Mythbusters and learn that:
1.) Bullet Vs Gas tank does not = explosion unless you use illegal incederiary rounds. It doesn't matter what caliber you use. (propane tanks not included But there is no Propane on a 747)
2.) A hole in an Aircraft does not equal "explosive decompression" like you see on the movies. It just equals a hole . . .
I can go on and on but the fear of big guns and terrorism does not out way the rational awareness of those hunters, hobbiest, and collectors who simply no better. I do not own a .50 caliber rifle, nor do I have any plans to at this time, but I have always had a fascination with aircraft. Even as a kid I LOVED the airport. I could just watch them take off and land all day long. And I know that some paint ball guns have nearly the range necessary to tack blue botches onto the bottoms of Boeing 747's as they land.
I feel that these people are monopolizing and adding to the fears of a nation.
http://www.50caliberterror.com/
Now granted the big 50 is known as an anti-materials round, but an aircraft is far from an armored vehicle. It is composed of easily permeable aircraft aluminum. Even a .22 caliber rifle can pierce it's hull with ease.
The second argument is range: but the standard .308 cartridge can make it out to 1000 yards. As can every rifle caliber above it all the way up to the 50 cal. What distances are you worried about? Meaning at what range is a bullet dangerous to aircraft? 500 yards? 700 yards? Most any bolt action rifle (in any caliber) is capable of punching holes at that range. Not to mention hitting something the size of 747 is the literal equivalent of hitting the broad side of a barn.
Third: what kind of damage might we expect from a 50 cal hit onto an aircraft being that it has never before happened? When metal hits metal you get a hole, and in the case of the 50 you get a hole that is exactly 1/2" in diameter. If neither fuel or engine is hit what kind of damage might we expect? And if Fuel or engine is hit will a .511" hole be more devastating then a .338" hole that could theoretically be created by a standard Elk rifle?
Not every one is knowledgeable firearms and ballistics, but one could simply check out Youtube or watch the Mythbusters and learn that:
1.) Bullet Vs Gas tank does not = explosion unless you use illegal incederiary rounds. It doesn't matter what caliber you use. (propane tanks not included But there is no Propane on a 747)
2.) A hole in an Aircraft does not equal "explosive decompression" like you see on the movies. It just equals a hole . . .
I can go on and on but the fear of big guns and terrorism does not out way the rational awareness of those hunters, hobbiest, and collectors who simply no better. I do not own a .50 caliber rifle, nor do I have any plans to at this time, but I have always had a fascination with aircraft. Even as a kid I LOVED the airport. I could just watch them take off and land all day long. And I know that some paint ball guns have nearly the range necessary to tack blue botches onto the bottoms of Boeing 747's as they land.
I feel that these people are monopolizing and adding to the fears of a nation.
http://www.50caliberterror.com/