The Maddow Blog
It's worth pausing to appreciate just what Christie has done with this veto. See that image above? The .50 caliber is the one on the left. As Rachel explained on the show earlier this week, a .50 caliber shell is basically the size of a "carrot," which serves "an effective military weapon against even some armored vehicles. A few years back, 60 Minutes showed .50 caliber rifles making short work of steel plate armor at several hundred yards." It also has the capacity to shoot down an airplane. Under current law in New Jersey, any adult can legally purchase this weapon. The state legislature decided that's no longer a good idea, and today, Chris Christie vetoed the ban. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D) said in a statement, "Banning these battlefield-style weapons was designed to keep these highly destructive firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals and terrorists. Weaponry designed for the battlefield, that serves no legitimate civilian use, should not be landing on our streets. Instead the governor has shunned this notion and bowed to the pressure of right wing conservatives. The governor's vetoes today demonstrate a failure in leadership. Instead of doing what's right for New Jersey, he bowed to the pressures of his political party."
