They called on lawmakers to revive a bill that would ban a powerful rifle in Hawaii.

The .50 Caliber sniper-style gun is much bigger than other assault rifles, so is its ammunition.

Experts said the rifle is capable of firing a shot that could travel as far as seven miles. That's twice the distance from Honolulu Police headquarters on South Beretania Street to the campus of UH Manoa.

Police said it's so destructive it's not even practical for hunting.

"People have said that they can use this for hunting, but the damage that it'll do to an animal is so tremendous that it actually vaporizes the area that it strikes," said Maj. Greg Letcourt.

"I can tell you that as a long time hunter and as a surgeon who has treated gun shot wounds, a .50 Caliber would not do that to an animal," said Dr. Max Cooper.

The group believes banning .50 Calibers opens the door to other rifles being banned in the future, the measure has been deferred.

It must pass by next Tuesday for there to be a chance the bill passes at all this year. There are currently 125, .50 caliber rifles registered in Hawaii.

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