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52 senators warn of sweeping ammo bans, say Second Amendment 'at risk'
Washington Examiner ^ | 03/10/2015 | Paul Bedard

Posted on 03/10/2015 6:29:48 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

A majority in both the Senate and House — 52 senators, 238 House members — have joined to oppose the Obama administration's move to ban a popular type of ammo used in the top-selling AR-15 rifle and pistol because it pierces police body armor.

A week after the House members, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte, sent a letter of opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley echoed that in his own letter signed by 51 others.

In their letter, the senators said that the 5.56 M855 "green tip" cartridge was exempted in a 1986 law, along with other rifle ammo from bans on armor-piercing rounds. The reason: popular rifle ammo is typically not used in shootouts with police.

They also raised new concerns that the administration appears poised for a much wider ammo ban.

"Second Amendment rights require not only access to firearms but to bullets. If law-abiding gun owners cannot obtain rifle ammunition, or face substantial difficulty in finding ammunition available and at reasonable prices because government entities are banning such ammunition, then the Second Amendment is at risk," said Grassley's letter.

The ATF has proposed banning the ammo because it has concerns that the popularity of AR-15 pistols might mean a greater threat to police. Foes of the move, including a top police group, however, say there is no evidence the $1,000 pistols have been used against police. Others note that the metals used in the ammo are not included in the old law's description of armor-piercing bullets.

"These cartridges are prevalent for one of the most commonly possessed rifles, the AR-15. Congress did not, and did not intend to, ban this form of ammunition," wrote Grassley of the1986 Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act.

He also raised concerns that the administration is targeting other ammo, a charge made by the National Rifle Association last week.

"ATF's proposed restriction of the M855 cartridge is particularly serious in light of efforts to ban other forms of ammunition. The standards in the 'Framework' would make use of ammunition containing materials other than lead more difficult. At the same time, various efforts to ban lead ammunition are proceeding apace. Second Amendment rights require not only access to firearms but to bullets. If law-abiding gun owners cannot obtain rifle ammunition, or face substantial difficulty in finding ammunition available and at reasonable prices because government entities are banning such ammunition, then the Second Amendment is at risk. An outright ban is an even more serious threat to the Second Amendment than the threat to the First Amendment's protection of free press created by a TAX imposed only on voluminous purchases of paper and ink," they said.

The House opposition is also largely Republican and the issue has even become a 2016 presidential topic.

Democrats, meanwhile, are circulating a letter in support of the ban what they call "cop killer" ammo. The White House also backs the ATF proposal.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 223; 2a; 2ndamendment; 5pt56; ammo; ar15; banglist; corruption; guncontrol; guns; nra; pennsylvania; pt223; rifle; secondamendment
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Now you know why the government bought all that ammo.


21 posted on 03/10/2015 7:25:05 AM PDT by LZ_Bayonet ( I AM THE TEA PARTY LEADER !)
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To: Lurkinanloomin
There are billions of rounds of the most popular ammo round the world. 7.62 x 39, x 54, .223/5.56, 9mm, .45acp, .308

Even if the idiot in the white hut attempts an ammo ban, there will rise a huge black market through Messy-co. Prices will skyrocket, but the ammo will still flow.

22 posted on 03/10/2015 7:48:36 AM PDT by servantboy777
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To: VanDeKoik

Remember how Obola promised Sarah Brady “we’re doing gun control under the radar”?

And yes, the Senators are warming up to it - because there’s not going to be a vote that they get tied to.


23 posted on 03/10/2015 7:49:11 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Its the Sixties all over again, but with crappy music...)
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To: Starboard
At least that’s what the Republicans told us when they wanted our votes to “take control” of the congress.

Well,the pubs are just the other side of THE UNIPARTY.

FMCDH(BITS)

24 posted on 03/10/2015 8:05:41 AM PDT by nothingnew (Hemmer and MacCullum are the worst on FNC)
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To: ctdonath2

“Pens without ink are useless.
Cars without gas are useless.
Printers without paper are useless.
Lights without electricity are useless.”

Politicians without morals are useless.


25 posted on 03/10/2015 8:14:28 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Socialism is the gospel of envy and the religion of thieves)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Obama likes the way Hitler and Marx operated.


26 posted on 03/10/2015 8:45:41 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
...because it pierces police body armor.

So does an ice pick.

27 posted on 03/10/2015 9:35:07 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & Ifwater the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: servantboy777
...there will rise a huge black market through Messy-co. Prices will skyrocket, but the ammo will still flow.

Bureaucrats at the order-giving level may start dropping like flies from "accidents" when it comes to that. Or maybe just disappearing.

28 posted on 03/10/2015 9:41:34 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & Ifwater the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: JimRed

Well not sure bout all that, but folks will get the ammo they need. Americans are a pretty resourceful bunch.


29 posted on 03/10/2015 11:05:37 AM PDT by servantboy777
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
A majority in both the Senate and House — 52 senators, 238 House members

Would those 52 senators, 238 House members advocate shooting those who would enforce that law/regulation?

No?

Piss down my back and tell me it's raining...

5.56mm

30 posted on 03/10/2015 11:18:06 AM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: TYVets

I contacted my idiot congress creature about this and he is a part of the “Republican leadership” and his response was there will be no gun control legislation that gets through congress this year. I replied you half wit obama is doing it through regulation and executive orders with the ATF. Are you going to do anything or wait for the birds to come and cover you with leaves??? No response.

The Repussicrats will do nothing. The NRA and GOA will remember this I’m sure.


31 posted on 03/10/2015 11:39:49 AM PDT by sarge83
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To: sarge83
He never heard of 0bama's executive orders?

He must live on the back side of the moon.

Your self control is better than mine.

32 posted on 03/10/2015 12:10:43 PM PDT by TYVets
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Only 2 Senate Republicans did not sign the Letter.

Grassley in IA and Kirk in IL. Even the RINO GOP Senators signed this letter.

Now the question, which ComDem Senators would vote to defend the 2nd Amendment? Somewhat fateful question for our nation.


33 posted on 03/10/2015 12:15:59 PM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

My mistake, took data from article. Looks like Grassley (leading group) did vote for it.

I pulled my list from the text of the article.

But Kirk in IL was not listed.


34 posted on 03/10/2015 12:52:45 PM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!)
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To: baddog 219

It is not an illusion at the state level and below.l


35 posted on 03/10/2015 2:45:38 PM PDT by marktwain
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To: Starboard

you sure make one hell of an assumption that I am NOT doing anything.


36 posted on 03/10/2015 4:07:05 PM PDT by cableguymn (We need a redneck in the white house....)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
...sent a letter of opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,

Whew, they DID send a letter. I was worried. /s

The headlines makes it sound like these Senators amd House members are outside looking in. Don't they CREATE the laws?

37 posted on 03/11/2015 5:00:00 AM PDT by hattend (Firearms and ammunition...the only growing industries under the Obama regime.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Well, looks like the opposition to the proposed ban actually worked:

ATF: Notice to those Commenting on the AP Ammo Exemption Framework(Suspends their M855 Ban)

38 posted on 03/11/2015 5:21:53 AM PDT by Alas Babylon! (As we say in the Air Force, "You know you're over the target when you start getting flak!")
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To: cableguymn

My post was directed at Republicans in congress, not you. Sorry if my wording was awkward or confusing. I didn’t intend to assume anything about you.

I’ll be more clear next time. ;)

Regards.


39 posted on 03/11/2015 9:28:40 AM PDT by Starboard
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