New York: A-2772A  .50 Caliber Ban  http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02772

On 4-14-08 the New York State Legislature voted on and moved several anti-gun bills out of the Assembly including the above listed A-2772A which is a ban on .50 caliber target rifles. For a list of all the firearms related bills that were voted on, go to the website of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Assn. (NYSRPA) at: http://www.nysrpa.org/

We are monitoring this bill as well as others and are in close contact with representatives in NY state who are in the Capitol every day. We will keep everyone updated on its progress. If you live in New York it would be appropriate at this time to write a firm but polite letter to your state senator expressing your opposition to a ban on the 50 BMG.

Illinois: HB 4357  Assault Weapons Ban (includes .50 BMG and Ammunition)  http://www.ilga.gov/

This is an assault weapons ban that includes the .50 BMG target rifle and ammunition. This bill is the most far reaching ban ever proposed in American history and should be labeled, "Assault on Your 2nd Amendment Rights" because that is exactly what it is. Straight out of the sewer of Mayor Daley's office and supported by your loving Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

This bill does not enjoy wide support in the Assembly but it could get legs any time and move forward. If you live in Illinois, now is the time to write those letters. The legislators are out for this week, but will be back in session soon. For more information on the list of anti-gun bills in IL, go to http://www.isra.org/

NRA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, May16-18

The Fifty Caliber Institute (FCI) and the Fifty Caliber Shooters Assn (FCSA) will be hosting adjoining booths this year at the NRA Convention in Louisville, KY. If you are a fifty caliber owner, manufacturer or a member of FCSA and are going to be attending the convention please stop by and say hello. We will be in booth #1137 and if you need additional info regarding the convention, visit the NRA website at: http://www.nraam.org/exhibitor/

This promises to be one of the greatest NRA Conventions ever held, so if you can make it "come on down"! The nice thing about the NRA Conventions is all you have to do is be a member of NRA and you get in free! Great exhibits; lots of like minded people and lots of new products to look at. We look forward to seeing you.

Colorado Fun Shoot-Cheyenne Wells MG Shoot May 2-4

If you haven't already done so, you might want to check out the 50 caliber fun shoot hosted by the Rocky Mountain Fifty Caliber Shooting Association, Inc (RMFCSA) scheduled for May 2nd-4th. You can still get a spot on the firing line by contacting them. For more info check their website at: http://www.rmfcsa.org/

Wyoming Fun Shoot-11th Annual (June-2008) North Rockies MG and Cannon Shoot

Another fun shoot that is fast approaching and a lot of fun to attend is hosted by the Wyoming NFA Shooters Club each year. You can get the whole story by checking their website at: http://www.wyomingnfa.com/701.html

The proceeds from this shoot, like the Cheyenne Wells shoot, go toward benefiting the respective volunteer fire dept's in the areas where the shoots are hosted. There is still space available on the firing line and there is a .pdf application available on their website. Questions or inquiries can be made to "Doc" Ruben at: wyonfa@bresnan.net

Fifty Caliber Institute Website Update

FCI is making some needed changes to our website at: http://www.fiftycal.org/ Please take the time to visit and review what we have available including our new fundraiser.

We'd like everyone to tell their friends about our newsletters and email alert system. We are gearing up for what we expect will be a fierce fight next year and the only way we can effectively do our job is to keep the .50 caliber community informed about what is happening. The only way we can do that is through our email alert system. We don't spam. When you get a message from us, it's a newsletter like this or it's because the 'balloon has gone up' and we are in a fight.

Please forward our emails to your friends and ask them to sign up to receive our notices. If you or your friends are a fifty caliber owner or manufacturer, this concerns you!!

EDM Arms Semi-Auto .50 BMG Giveaway - C L I C K  H E R E

We are very proud to announce that EDM Arms owner, Bill Ritchie has donated one of his new, 'off the drawing boards' Semi-Auto .50 BMG rifles for our next fundraiser. Bill has always been one of the biggest supporters of our 2nd Amendment rights and now he has led the way once again by donating a rifle to FCI to help us continue our mission. Check out the new fundraiser by going over to our website at: http://www.fiftycal.org/events.php and checking it out.

EDM Arms is under production with its new Model 05, gas-operated, semi-auto, .50 BMG rifle. First deliveries of the new semi-auto will commence in 2008. The rifle is available with either 5 or 10 round magazines, and comes in a California-Compliant variant, minus a pistol grip and in the .50 DTC caliber. The Model 05 doesn’t require any tools to be disassembled, has an adjustable buttstock and cheekpiece and the internal components can be removed through the back of the receiver for ease of cleaning. The rifle comes standard with a 28 inch, Lilja, match-grade, 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel, an integral Picatinny rail, weighs 40 pounds empty, and has an overall length of 57 inches.

Something many FCSA members don’t know (unless you’ve attended a World Championship match at Raton, NM) is that Bill Ritchie of EDM Arms has, for a number of years, donated a .50 caliber rifle to a lucky competitor in the Prone/Hunter class competition each year. The winner is selected by raffle from amongst all those registered in Prone/Hunter class at the World Championships. For more information about the new Model 05 semi-auto .50 caliber rifle, or any other EDM products, contact: