WWII, the amo belt for the 50 caliber machine gun was 27 ft long. Thus give them the hole 9 yrds
After doing some searching, I have found this, from William Saffire, written in 1982. He states that the derivation of the phrase is a mystery and appears to pre-date any WWI or WWII reference. Two possibilities are sailing references, from the yards (rods holding the sails) on three-masted sailing ships or the surface of the spinnaker on a yacht is nine square yards.
I might have some difficulty CC’ing that, and I would need a much better belt to carry it. 
When you think about it, isn’t it an odd grouping? Two “sins” and a right overseen by the same organization.
Gun control is a must, have when you have a gun, you need to be able to control your gun firmly, and aim correctly, that’s my gun control…and I have allot of control if need to shoot.
