Not sure why there was not a alert from the various pro gun groups, but check this out, it is S505 introduced 3/9/01:
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STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - March 09, 2001)
(a) IN GENERAL.--Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining firearm) is amended by striking ``(6) a machine
[Page: S2128] GPO's PDF
gun; (7) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (8) a destructive device.'' and inserting ``(6) a 50 caliber sniper weapon; (7) a machine gun; (8) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (9) a destructive device.''
(b) 50 CALIBER SNIPER WEAPON.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsections (d) through (m) as subsections (e) through , respectively, and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:
``(d) 50 CALIBER SNIPER WEAPON.--The term `50 caliber sniper weapon' means a rifle capable of firing a center-fire cartridge in 50 caliber, .50 BMG caliber, any other variant of 50 caliber, or any metric equivalent of such calibers.''
(2) MODIFICATION TO DEFINITION OF RIFLE.--Subsection (c) of section 5845 of such Code is amended by inserting ``or from a bipod or other support'' after ``shoulder''.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.--Section 5811(a) of such Code is amended by striking ``section 5845(e)'' and inserting ``section 5845(f)''.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.--The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
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Here's the link to see all of the particulars:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r107:1:./temp/~r107XhRJNd:e106886:
I suggest e mailing your senators and senators on the finance committee, that is where the bill has been sent.
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STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - March 09, 2001)
(a) IN GENERAL.--Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining firearm) is amended by striking ``(6) a machine
[Page: S2128] GPO's PDF
gun; (7) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (8) a destructive device.'' and inserting ``(6) a 50 caliber sniper weapon; (7) a machine gun; (8) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); and (9) a destructive device.''
(b) 50 CALIBER SNIPER WEAPON.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsections (d) through (m) as subsections (e) through , respectively, and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:
``(d) 50 CALIBER SNIPER WEAPON.--The term `50 caliber sniper weapon' means a rifle capable of firing a center-fire cartridge in 50 caliber, .50 BMG caliber, any other variant of 50 caliber, or any metric equivalent of such calibers.''
(2) MODIFICATION TO DEFINITION OF RIFLE.--Subsection (c) of section 5845 of such Code is amended by inserting ``or from a bipod or other support'' after ``shoulder''.
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.--Section 5811(a) of such Code is amended by striking ``section 5845(e)'' and inserting ``section 5845(f)''.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.--The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
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Here's the link to see all of the particulars:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r107:1:./temp/~r107XhRJNd:e106886:
I suggest e mailing your senators and senators on the finance committee, that is where the bill has been sent.