Quote:
Originally Posted by Fusilier
As far as I know, that is a popular military myth or urban legend. That there is no actual law of war pertaining to .50caliber weapons such as those used on people, it isn't in any international convention, etc. Certain laws do address bullet and weapon types (chemical / flame ) but nothing like caliber.
For interest sake, do you have any official verification?
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It came under Section II, Article 23 of the Hague Convention, (HAGUE, II) (29 July 1899)To whit;
'- To employ arms, projectiles, or material of a nature to cause superfluous injury; '
It was and is considered that the .50 round caused excessive injury, and in the wording of the convention 'to ensure the death of the combatant'. The idea is you should be able to survive, no matter how torn up.
It's worth noting that this convention, while still binding, is abrogated in many areas by many nations. Chemical gas, flame weapons, collective punishment, superfluous destruction of property, all are banned by Article 23.