The definition of Armor Piercing (AP) Ammunition is;
"A projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium;"
This definition was agreed upon in the mid-'80s between the pro-gun and anti-gun forces as a middle-ground against the Senator Charles Schumer's catch phrase "cop-killer bullets". At first it was suggested that any bullet be banned which can penetrate a cop's vest. Law enforcement and many others were all for that definition until the NRA fought it because the unthinking hadn't realized that it would ban ALL rifle ammunition.
That was the only definition of AP ammunition until the Swedish M39B (9mm Luger) cartridge arrived on the surplus market in the late 80's. Being intended for use in the Carl Gustav M45 (Swedish K) submachinegun, it had a much thicker jacket than normal 9mm Luger cartridges and a higher velocity, which allows it to penetrate soft body armor.
So, since the problem didn't fit the solution (the M39B didn't qualify as AP), a new definition was added to the definition of AP ammo. It was added that AP ammo would include;
"A full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile".
Notice that the definition didn't just say M39B, because that would leave the possibility to re-name the cartridge all allow it to come into the U.S.
Here's the real tool that should be used to fight the ban. Point out to ATF that the bullet of M855 is not within the definition of Armor Piercing ammunition. Because the bullet is partially made of lead, it is NOT "constructed entirely from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium;" Therefore the definition of AP does not apply.
Point out to ATF that the bullet of M855 is not within the definition of Armor Piercing ammunition. Because the bullet is partially made of lead, it is NOT "constructed entirely from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium;" Therefore the definition of AP does not apply.
(emphasis added)The definition of Armor Piercing (AP) Ammunition is;
"A projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium;"
And the counterargument is that the intent of the regulation was...
I respectfully disagree. IMHO the troublesome issue is that the term "core" is not defined in the regulation, which says that AP ammo is:rickyrick said:From reading this, the troublesome phrase is "...may be used in a handgun... "
Furthermore, as you’ll see in the list below, the ATF has specifically stated that the SS109/M855 bullets are exempted from AP status.
Representative Mario Biaggi and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the original Congressional sponsors of the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (P.L. 99-408), clearly stated that they intended and expected that ALL common ammunition originally or primarily intended for rifle use should be exempt from the bill, even if pistols were chambered for such rifle ammunition. In fact Rep Biaggi explicitly stated the, “legislation does not seek to affect in any way ammunition made originally or primarily for rifle use”.
As noted above, Senator Moynihan testified before the Senate, stating: “Let me make clear what this bill does not do. Our legislation would not limit the availability of rifle ammunition with armor-piercing capability. We recognize that soft body armor is not intended to stop high-powered rifle cartridges. Time and again, Congressman Biaggi and I have stressed that only bullets capable of penetrating body armor and designed to be fired from a handgun would be banned; rifle ammunition would not be covered.”
Thought this was especially interesting.
Quote:
Furthermore, as you’ll see in the list below, the ATF has specifically stated that the SS109/M855 bullets are exempted from AP status.
I think we all know that it's not in the Constitution.And the for sporting use only clause of the second amendment to the constitution says what? And is located on which line in which paragraph you got help me I looked and some how missed it.