"We don't want to wipe out the hunting and sporting ammunition," said Craig. The "sporting purpose" test was used before -- as justification for firearm rights infringements via the 1938 Nazi Weapons Law and later copied nearly verbatim in the U.S. Gun Control Act of 1968.
"Let's send a message that armor piercing ammunition is flat off limits," said Sen. Craig.
Thank you, Shooter 2.5, for motivating me to reread this. Now that I read it all in context again I see that Sen. Craig means that AP ammo should be off limits to the public not to legislation. The study is for just what I've been saying it's for; coming up with new ways to define "armor piercing" ammunition.
There seems to be a ban on manufacture and sale of AP. The study is to determine if a standard for the uniform testing of projectiles against Body Armor is feasible. It's a ban, but just what is banned, beyond the currently definition, is not clear, to me at least:
SEC. 5. ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION.
(a) UNLAWFUL ACTS.--Section 922(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (7) and (8) and inserting the following:
``(7) for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition, unless--
``(A) the manufacture of such ammunition is for the use of the United States, any department or agency of the United States, any State, or any department, agency, or political subdivision of a State;
``(B) the manufacture of such ammunition is for the purpose of exportation; or
``(C) the manufacture or importation of such ammunition is for the purpose of testing or experimentation and has been authorized by the Attorney General.
``(8) for any manufacturer or importer to sell or deliver armor piercing ammunition, unless such sale or delivery--
``(A) is for the use of the United States, any department or agency of the United States, any State, or any department, agency, or political subdivision of a State;
``(B) is for the purpose of exportation; or
``(C) is for the purpose of testing or experimentation and has been authorized by the Attorney General.''.
...
(c) STUDY AND REPORT.--
(1) STUDY.--The Attorney General shall conduct a study to determine whether a uniform standard for the uniform testing of projectiles against Body Armor is feasible.
(2) ISSUES TO BE STUDIED.--The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) variations in performance that are related to the length of the barrel of the handgun or centerfire rifle from which the projectile is fired; and
(B) the amount of powder used to propel the projectile.
(3) REPORT.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report containing the results of the study conducted under this subsection to--
(A) the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate; and
(B) the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives.