Sniper

The traditional definition of a sniper is an infantry soldier especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who kills selected enemies from concealment with a rifle at large distances. Typically and ideally, a proficient sniper approaches an unaware enemy presence, uses a single bullet per target, and withdraws without being seen. The word originates from the snipe, a game bird difficult for hunters to sneak up on.

Snipers outside warfare

The use of sniping as means of murder has been immortalised by a number of sensational U.S. murders, including the Austin sniper incident of 1966, the John F. Kennedy assassination, and the Washington sniper serial murders of late 2002. However, these incidents usually do not involve the range or skill of military snipers. Today's news reports will often (inaccurately) use the term sniper to describe anyone shooting at another person with a rifle.

Related Topics:
Murder - Austin sniper - 1966 - John F. Kennedy assassination - Washington sniper serial murders - 2002

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Sniping has also been used by terrorists, for example in the Northern Ireland troubles, where in the early seventies a number of soldiers were shot by concealed riflemen, some at considerable range. There were also a few instances in the early '90s of British soldiers being shot with .50 calibre Barrett rifles.

Related Topics:
Northern Ireland - Troubles

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