are civilian authorities bound by the Geneva Convention?
That's incorrect. First of all it's the Hague Convention of 1899 that prohibits the use of easily expanding/deforming projectiles. Second, our snipers are issued rounds such as the MK316, which is a 7.62 x 51 featuring a 175 gr Sierra HPBT.
That's not correct.
Firstly, the Hague Conventions, not the Geneva Conventions, govern The Use of Bullets Which Expand or Flatten Easily in the Human Body.
Secondly, the 168gr HPBT favored by long range rifle competitors and military snipers is NOT banned by the Hague Convention, as it does not appreciably expand on impact. The hollow point is nearly microscopic, and collapses rather than expanding.