Also, to score the point of this article. The BATFE attempted this in 2012 thru a law interpretation, but it was rejected. Now the same issue is being attempted by an executive rule change Below are comments from an NRA article, which points out that this simple exemption rule change may be eventually applied inclusively to all high velocity rifle ammo.
“BATFE suggested that it believes that the ‘armor piercing ammunition’ law was intended to affect all ammunition capable of penetrating soft body armor worn by law enforcement officers.”
“BATFE says it considers projectiles to not be exempt under the “sporting purposes” test if they “pose a threat to public safety and law enforcement”
The purpose of this rule change is to specifically remove that “sporting purposes” exemption for AP ammo that can be found in handgun platforms. It starts with 5.56mm, but where does it end?
The Gun Control Act, derived as it was from the laws of the Third Reich, must be repealed in its entirety. It is unAmerican; foreign to our principles and repugnant to our Constitution.
Best I can tell, it looks like the difference between this BATFE attempt to ban 5.56 and the 2012 attempt is that the 2012 version was based on the BATFE interpreting the definition of AP ammo, which actually expanded the definition beyond the definition determined by law. Since the BATFE can’t change the definition without review, the 2012 attempt was shot down.
This new attempt is based on setting two criteria for removing the “sporting purposes” exemption. So if the ammo can penetrate soft body armor and is available for use in a handgun platform then that round is no longer exempt under this rule change. They are initially targeting 5.56 green tip ammo, but the rule change could be applied to all high velocity ammo. Since the exemption rule has no legally required criteria and all exemptions are at the discretion of the US AG, then it will limit our recourse for countering the rule change. I think this is a test for broader future action.
What they need to remove is the effin’ “sporting purposes” references to anything to do with the 2nd.