Ruger 10/22--the last 'sniper weapon'?

I've already talked about hunting rifles being the next "sniper weapons," once .50 caliber rifles are banned (or controlled to the point that they might as well be) as "heavy sniper rifles," and .338 Lapua and similar calibers are banned or tightly controlled as "intermediate sniper rifles."

Some manufacturers may choose to refine the .338 Lapua Magnum, an intermediate round falling in size and power somewhere between the traditional military 30 calibers and the .50 BMG. The .338 Lapua Magnum was designed in the late 1980s "as a long-range European military sniping round," according to sniping expert John Plaster. He advises that its "great speed and heavy weight makes for especially lethal long-range shooting and good penetration against vehicles and aircraft—typical counterterrorist targets—as well as building materials." Some manufacturers already offer .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles.

From there, it's easy to see them going after the .300 Winchester Magnum, then the .30-06 (for which some very fine sniper rifles have been chambered), 7mm Remington Magnum, etc.

Maybe I'm late to the party on this, and everyone already knew about it, but until I received a note from a reader, it hadn't occurred to me just how low on the power scale one can go, and still be talking about "weapons of war."


Ruger 10/22 Suppressed Sniper Rifle

The Ruger 10/22, fitted with a X4 day optic, a full length suppressor and a Harris bipod was selected for this role and was due to be issued to all infantry oriented units, including both special and conventional forces. However, as often happens in the shoestring budget IDF, financial problems prevented the weapon's mass distribution, and it was mainly issued to Special Forces (SF) units. Moreover, instead of using the rifle as a riot control weapon, as originally intended, the Israeli SF deployed the Ruger 10/22 more as a "Hush Puppy" weapon used to silently and effectively eliminate disturbing dogs prior to operations.

In the recent Israeli-Palestinian clashes began in 2000, the Ruger resumes it's original role as a less lethal riot control weapon. However, it's usage in this role was rather controversial this time. After several incidents involving the death of Palestinians by the Ruger fire, the IDF conducted a field experiment in the Ruger at the IDF Sniper School in Mitkan Adam under the supervision of the IDF Judge Advocate General (JAG). The test showed that the Ruger was more lethal then thought especially in upper body injuries. Also, since it's suppressed and was considered less lethal by the troops, the soldiers were much more likely to use the Ruger loosely then intended.

As a result of this test, the JAG reclassified the Ruger as a lethal weapon.

If the VPC has their way on "heavy" and "intermediate" "sniper rifles," does anyone think they'll stop without going after "light sniper rifles," as well?