ORIGINAL: Briman
I think that it has to do more with the potential than anything. I mean a 1 mile + accuracy potential and armor piercing capabilities? I think that the government is scared that in the wrong hands it would be used against our own police and be able to cause some serious problems for them. The 50 BMG is no toy, and in the right (or wrong depending on how you look at it) hands, the gun could be a pretty serious threat.
Darn tootin!
Teddy Kennedy tried getting a ban passed a few years ago on all 'cop killer' armor piercing ammunition- every rifle cartridge from 30-30 on up. Can't allow the serfs to have any power you know, people are a lot more easily controlled when they look at their feet and flinch in fear whenever an authority figure comes near. BTW, the next best thing to the .50 BMG for defeating body and even vehicle armor is 12 guage shotgun slugs- but at least noone will ever ban those, right? They surely won't go after hunters scoped sniper rifles either.