Honolulu police are urging lawmakers to revive a firearms bill that, among other things, would ban ownership of powerful .50-caliber rifles in the state.

House lawmakers have deferred action on the bill, meaning it is likely dead for this session. However, police yesterday urged lawmakers to keep alive the portion of the bill dealing with ownership of the high-powered rifles, which have a range of several miles.

"There's no reason at all for anyone to own one of these; they can't be used for hunting, and they can only be fired legally on two military ranges," said Maj. Gregory Lefcourt, legislative liaison for the Honolulu Police Department.

House Bill 2999 would "prohibit importation, manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer or acquisition of any .50 BMG rifle," which is featured prominently in the latest Rambo movie, Lefcourt said. Fifty-caliber handguns would remain legal and unaffected by the legislation.

Police estimate that about 125 of the rifles are owned and registered in Hawai'i. "This is a safety issue for police," Lefcourt said.

Max Cooper, legislative co-chair for the Hawaii Rifle Association who owns one of the guns, said he believes police are using the .50-caliber rifle issue as a way to seek further gun control in the future.

"It's the camel's nose in the tent," Cooper said. "Once they get this passed, they'll go after other kinds of guns."

Cooper, who has fired his $3,000 gun at a military range at Schofield Barracks, said there have been no cases in the United States of the rifles being used for criminal activity.

The commander of the Hawai'i National Guard said he supports passage of the bill.

"I am very disappointed to hear that the bill has been deferred," said Maj. Gen Robert G.F. Lee, state adjutant general. "We don't need anyone carrying a .50-caliber or larger firearm in the state of Hawai'i."

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.