Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!

[benEzra]

It is not all that unusual for public officials to play up a perceived threat in order to make themselves look braver, more noble, or (usually) in need of more funding or legislation. But this one, which I found on a couple blogs yesterday, was so over the top, it was worth of comment:

http://www.dailynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12060413

One of the most startling incidents was when a Fabrique National 57, an assault pistol used to kill big game, was found in a victim's car by detectives investigating a double-homicide last year in North Hollywood.

"You use it on large lions, tigers and bears," said LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore, commander of the Valley Bureau.

Just so you know, 5.7x28mm is a centerfire .22 that approximates the ballistics of a .22 magnum rimfire, commonly used for squirrel and rabbit hunting. And oh, it's not an "assault pistol" either, and using civilian-available ammunition, it won't penetrate any body armor rated to stop .357 magnum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven



I would like to see Mr. Moore go hunting lions, tigers, and bears with a .22...

The best response I saw was in the comments section accompanying the article:

Don't fire it at a lion.
Don't fire it at a tiger.
Don't fire it at a bear.
Just don't. You might hit one of them, and if it notices, it might get angry.

I'm sure the usual defenders of ignorance and hyperbole will be along soon to explain why Mr. Moore's statement is entirely rational, and why making fun of it disrespects the bodies of the tens of thousands of people murdered with FiveSevens (actually they haven't, but that doesn't matter, it's the thought that counts), or red herrings about military PDW's and military-only AP ammo, but I felt compelled to post it anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own a FiveSeven and have no plans to get one, as my Smith & Wesson 9mm Ladysmith is far more powerful and effective as a defensive weapon. But if somebody thinks an expensive .22 is cool, more power to them. Just don't go bear or lion hunting with it...

[spin]

1. Obviously, the commander of the Valley Bureau...

is badly informed or is merely a posturing pompous idiot. (Or both.)

[jody]

2. Thanks. n/t

[SteveM]

3. Reminds me of a joke (hope I haven't told it here):

Man walks into a gun shop with a .38 and asks the smith to modify it for bear hunting.

"What?" asks the incredulous smith.

"Bear hunting. I won't it to be better for bear hunting."

The smith shakes his head, but nevertheless takes the gun back to his bench and grinds off the sights, replaces the grip with inset wooden pieces, rounds off the frame and bobs the hammer to virtually nothing. He gives it back to the customer.

"What the hell?" asks the customer. "What good will this do?"

"Well," answer the smith, "when the bear sticks it up your ass it won't hurt so much."

[krispos42]

5. He he...

...reminds me of that scene in "Shoot to Kill" with Sidney Poitier as a cop.

Something to the effect of they come across a bear in the woods of Washington and Poitier draws his revolver and asks if he should shoot it. The guide says "No, you'll make him mad."

:-)

[Xzanther]

6. simply..

lawl

[krispos42]

4. !!!

:spray: :rofl:



Jesus Christ, what an idiot!


It's like a needle... deep penetration, but a very narrow wound channel and not much impact. If you're in combat against a body-armor-wearing it's better than a standard pistol, in that a small wound is better than no wound at all, but I wouldn't go hunting for lions, tigers, OR bears this or any other standard autopistol cartridge!