Giant Slingshots

Slingshots taken from young vandals, May 1952. If the police hadn't stopped them, the kids probably would have been building full-sized trebuchets next.

"Salem, Mass., May 8 — Police Lt. Walter Broderick tests one of two huge slingshots confiscated after boys had broken 60 windows in two local factories. Police said the giant weapons could hurl a five-pound rock more than 200 yards."
     Posted By: Alex - Wed Mar 27, 2013
     Category: Violence | 1950s | Weapons





Comments
I like slingshots. They are quiet, don't flash, and pack a punch when throwing 3/8 inch steel shot.

I once took out the back window of some punk's car parked, at about 0200, in the business lot behind our apartments with his stereo blasting away. :lol:
Posted by KDP on 03/27/13 at 09:53 AM
At least, back in '52, kids were expected to not only know what a trebuchet was but also how to build one! How times have changed.

... or ...

After we get done gutting the 2ed amendment we need to go after surgical tubing, inner-tubes, and those big rubber bands used by the post office.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/27/13 at 11:32 AM
The Wrist Rocket by Saunders Archery made the news some years ago when a guy in another country (South Africa?) used one to keep squirrels out of his garden but couldn't buy a replacement elastic for it because it was considered munitions.

The Saunders site lists the cities which they can't ship to because of slingshot bans.

(I shouldn't have visited their site -- I'm now lusting after their $45 Pro model.)
Posted by Phideaux on 03/27/13 at 02:10 PM
Slingshots are illegal some places? I did not know that. Perhaps they shoud make rocks and soap illegal as they are used on windows by kids too.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/27/13 at 07:43 PM
Why can't they be like we were,
Perfect in every way?
What's the matter with kids today?
Posted by Harvey on 03/27/13 at 09:25 PM
patty -- The notice on Saunders Archery's website is:
"Slingshots, slingshot ammo and slingshot supplies cannot be shipped to the following states, or cities: Delaware: Dover & Wilmington - Florida: St. Augustine - Georgia: Athens-Clarke - Illinois: Evergreen Park - New Jersey - New York: Only wrist-braced slingshots are illegal. - Massachusetts - Minnesota: Duluth - Missouri: St. Louis - Ohio: Columbus - Pennsylvania: Philadelphia - Rhode Island - South Carolina: Charleston - Tennessee: Knoxville & Johnson City - Utah: Salt Lake County - Virginia: Falls Church - Wisconsin: Madison."
Posted by Phideaux on 03/27/13 at 11:51 PM
Thanks for the info Phideaux! I think it is ridiculous that slingshots are illegal anywhere. But then a lot of laws do not make sense so it is not particularly surprising to find another one.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 03/29/13 at 10:35 PM
We built ours with surgical tubing.
During our summer cruise from Annapolis to Philly and back we used to shoot water balloons and various harmless projectiles at the other boats. We used a few meters of surgical tubing doubled-up and a large funnel. Two of the larger guys would hold the ends while another launched.
Fun times
Posted by Billy on 04/03/13 at 10:08 AM
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