Its stupid, Civilians should only be able to carry at largest a .22LR if anything. Some guy down the street from me keeps a .480 caliber revolver loaded in his house at all times.
While looking up info on this, I noticed that use of the US army's berret M80 and higher rifles as a sniper is in conflict with the Geneva convention. I haven't checked it out but apparently when filing engagement reports the snipers have to say they were aiming for the opposing forces, ammunition, fatigues or helmet.
Edit:
Sweet fuck
Pictured is the round from the Steyr IWS2000 in comparison to a .308 winchester