by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
Joe Tartaro, Executive Editor
The Luddites in the anti-gun movement don’t like anything high tech involving firearms unless it is a system that will limit or eliminate guns altogether, like user recognition or microstamping technology.
In their latest sortie against civilian firearms, the National Gun Victims Action Council (NGVAC) called publicly for Austin, TX-based TrackingPoint to ban their Precision Guided Firearms (PGF) from civilian use, saying that only certain groups would buy the rifles.
The NGVAC contends that hunters and sportsmen would not buy PGFs, capable of firing aimed rounds out to 1,200 yards through use of its innovative sighting technology, since they would eliminate the need for skill.
Likewise, the group does not see a self-defense use for them.
“NGVAC believes that there are three groups who will buy these rifles — insurrectionists, terrorists and hate groups,” said NGVAC’s CEO Elliot Fineman in a press release. “Given the Sniper Rifle’s deadly accuracy, no one is safe — this cannot be allowed.”
The NGVAC says that in May it contacted TrackingPoint directly, asking the manufacturer to stop marketing and selling its guns to civilians. When it did not get a response from the company, the group and its allies, wrote to the CEOs of Google and Apple.
“We asked that they stop distributing the TrackingPoint application, which enables the rifles’ precision accuracy, and that they take steps to bar TrackingPoint from using their names in promotional efforts,” said Fineman. They have not received a response.
Now NGVAC is calling for legislation “to effectively banish the threat posed by these weapons.”
The TrackingPoint system is a Linux-driven system that calculates and accounts for virtually all environmental variables that will affect the shot. It allows for longer and more accurate shots even on moving targets. The scope is zeroed every time it is turned on and the scope allows for the shooter’s view to be viewed and recorded on a mobile device via a Wi-Fi system that is integral to the scope.
One concern that has recently reported arising is TrackingPoint’s patent on a system that will allow firearms to be disabled when within a school zone. It has been explained that this patent was obtained, not to further gun control, but to prevent that technology from falling into the hands of anti-Second Amendment advocates.
TrackingPoint rifles are built on either a Remington 700 or an AR-15 style action. The 1000 Series is designed to be accurate out to 1000 yards and comes in either .338 Lapua or .300 Win. Mag. For a more “tactical” look, consumers have the choice of the Accuracy International chassis. The Hunter model comes with a McMillan A5 stock. The 750 Series, which is designed for use up to 750 yards is similar, but comes in a lighter weight package in either .338 Lapua or .308 Win. The AR Series employs the AR-15 platform with a TrackingPoint scope in 5.56×45, 7.62×51, .300 AAC Blackout or .300 Win. Mag. Chambering.
The story of TrackingPoint began in early 2009 when founder John McHale went on an African safari. He personally saw the challenge of moderate- to long-distance hunting while taking several challenging shots in Tanzania.
