(CNSNews.com) - The indictment of ten foreign nationals on charges that they tried to smuggle dozens of .50 caliber rifles out of the U.S. and into the hands of alleged terrorists in Colombia, has given gun control groups another reason to push for a ban of the rifle.

The ten suspects were indicted in Miami, Fla., then arrested in Bogota, Colombia, after allegedly trying to smuggle 50 of the .50 caliber rifles and two helicopters to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC), a group that reportedly controls much of Colombia and is listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization.

U.S. Rep. James Moran (D-Va.), said the individuals indicted were "seeking to take advantage of lax U.S. gun laws."

"What more of a smoking gun do lawmakers need for proof that .50 caliber sniper rifles are weapons of terror?" asked Thom Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.

The .50 caliber rifle is used by the armed forces of 35 different countries. "Fifty caliber sniper rifles were designed as battlefield rifles to destroy aircraft, puncture armor, attack fuel depots and other material targets, and to be used for assassination due to the rifle's astonishing range and firepower," added Mannard.

Earlier this year, the California Legislature passed and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law banning the rifle. The Illinois Legislature considering a similar ban and bills to ban the .50 caliber rifle nationwide have been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate.

"Our country's easily exploited gun laws are very attractive to terrorists," said Moran. "The 50 caliber, in the hands of terrorists, is not only a threat to our national security; it is a threat to other countries battling the war on terror."

But the gun's inventor, Ronnie Barrett told CBS News' "60 Minutes" on Jan. 9, that the .50 caliber rifle "has an excellent record."

"You know, as far as the abuses with .50-caliber rifles, they are so few, if any, that all other calibers ought to aspire to have as good a record as it has," Barrett said.

John Burtt, chairman of the Fifty Caliber Institute, said he does not see the connection between the rifle and the terrorist organization.

"I don't know what the handgun control group is trying to imply by saying that .50 caliber rifles should be banned, simply because crooks out there are stealing them, or doing whatever they're doing to supply them to international drug cartels," Burtt told Cybercast News Service.

"If there are criminals out there engaged in criminal behavior, let's arrest them and send them to jail. If somebody is out there smuggling .50 caliber rifles they need to be prosecuted, arrested, and sent to prison. There is no problem with that whatsoever," Burtt said.