Posted on 03/12/2015 11:39:08 AM PDT by Red Steel
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Thursday raised new concerns about surplus military ammo used in popular AR-15 rifles and pistols just days after pulling back on a proposal to ban the ammo because it could threaten police safety.
In a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, ATF Director B. Todd Jones said all types of the 5.56 military-style ammo used by shooters pose a threat to police as more people buy the AR-15-style pistols.
"Any 5.56 round" is "a challenge for officer safety," he said. Jones asked lawmakers to help in a review of a 1986 bill written to protect police from so-called "cop killer" rounds that largely exempted rifle ammo like the 5.56 because it has been used by target shooters, not criminals.
His agency's move to ban the 5.56 M855 version was condemned by the National Rifle Association and majorities in the House and Senate and as a result was pulled back though not abandoned. At the hearing Jones said that nearly 90,000 comments on the proposal were received, many negative.
As a result, he said that the ATF will suspend rewriting the "framework" used to exempt armor piercing ammo from sale or use. "It probably isn't going to happen any time soon," he said. Jones also said, "We are not going to move forward."
The 5.56 M855 round, he said, is military surplus, typically has a green tip and was used in the M-16. There are several versions of the 5.56. The M855carries a bullet that can penetrate police body armor, though shooters often debate that.
The ATF singled it out for a ban because more AR-15 style pistols that can shoot the ammo are being produced and presumably could be used by criminals in police shootouts. The AR-15 can also shoot the less lethal .223 round, which was not targeted by ATF in the ban proposal.
Police groups, however, said the pistols are not being used against cops.
The NRA and some 52 senators said they also feared that the ATF move was an Obama administration bid for gun control targeted at the AR-15.
The purpose of the 2nd amendment is that governments do feel a bit threatened when over reaching.
True - any appeal to facts, reason logic and the rule of law are worthless, given the nature of those who oppose us.
There is only one way to stop them.
Just another one of our Black Overlords.
The ATF have problems though since 5.56 x 45 are rifle rounds along with all other types of rifle cartridges that are primarily used in rifles. The ATF should follow the law instead of trying to make law that they are prohibited in doing.
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Yes, when overreaching, which is criminal activity.
The original purpose of the second amendment was to point out in an official way that it is the express God given responsibility of the people to remain stronger militarily than their hired help, and that the hired help is forbidden from trying to upset that critical balance of power.
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I suspect that the employees of the BATFE are concerned about their personal safety as they are led in performing their part of the War on America.
The BATF needs to be banned.
It isn’t rocket science....
They're interchangeable.
Tyranny would have our 2nd amendment rights restricted to rubber band guns. If enemies foreign or domestic come after U.S. citizens with bullet proof vests what should be in our arsenal?
Ok....thanks..
I was thinking....what was it that Randy Weaver got in trouble for....wasn't it for make a short barrel gun of some sort...?? Was it a shotgun..?? Different laws apply to shotguns..??
Come on!
Half the pistols in the gun store could shoot something through body armor.
They are part of Obama's "Civilian National Security Force".
Why else would they need billions and billions of ammo rounds, hundreds of thousands automatic rifles, and at least 2,700 Navistar Defense’s MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles?
And we know Obama doesn't plan on using these psuedo-military forces to repel an invasion of Mexican illegals or hordes of French Canadians.
“The AR-15 can also shoot the less lethal .223 round,”
There’s a precedent for this. My .308 was designed to also fire the less lethal 7.62x51.
“There are several versions of the 5.56. The M855carries a bullet that can penetrate police body armor, though shooters often debate that.”
LOL
I understand it will tear through human flesh too.
Just like seatbelt and cellphone laws, you are resposible for your own protection.
As such, it seems pretty reasonable to that each and every officer, at roll call and before going on shift should be outfitted and required to wear the following:
ACH full cut Kevlar Level III-a
Full ALICE system to carry gear not carried on Vest Carrier system.
Full GSW and respirations kit
one baton, collapsible or full hickory
one handgun to be carried in a holster that can be mounted, user preference, on the chest, hip or leg.
handgun must be a 9mm, using double stacked magazines and one round loaded in the chamber.
4, minimum, additional 15 round magazines fully loaded.
magazines may be carried in a magazine holder of any material the user prefers.
one can of mace
one taser that is enbanked with two shots.
two additional and charged rounds to reload the taser
one set of standard or military grade and style handcuffs
One radio configured as local department requires or multiple communicaitons systems as needed.
one Carrier plate system
for the back and front or chest area (1) each - level IIIA armored plate in a dimension no less than 10 inches by 12 inches and mounted in a plate carrier so that the top edge, in the front is perpendicular to the top of the clavicle, with the back plate being mounted to align, edge to edge with the front plate.
ballistic protection in the form of class III shall be installed on the front, attaching to the bottom of, ALICE lower belts to protect the groin.
Ballistic protection in form of class III for the thigh area shall be attached to bottom of the ALICE belt and provide protection for at least 30% of thigh.
Ballistic protection in the form of class III for the shins and shall be have mounting system independent of ALICE system and provide protection to the kneecaps and tibia areas.
Ballistic protection in the form of class III for the kneck shall be provided in the form of a “wrap” that attached to the plate carrier.
Ballistic protection in the form of class III shall be attached to the shoulder part of the Carrier system.
Balistic protection in the form of class III ceramic plate shall be inserted into the carrier system
ballistic rated shooting glasses shall be worn at times to protect the eyes.
All patrols will be carried with a minimum of two officers
All patrol vehicles will be a minimum of a armored Humvee with IED protection under the carriage of the vehicle and directly under the driver and passenger areas.
The glass shall be triple pane class IV
Gloves will be worn at all times to protect hands and fingers from being touched by another human being.
When arresting any person it shall be required to have a minimum of 6 officers per subject being taken into custody and you will call for as many officers to back you up as needed according to this directive.
it is for your safety.
I guess the 2nd Amendment wasn't about hunting after all. /s
I think the barrel length limit on shotguns is due to the width of pellet spread because of the shorter barrel...not sure about that though.
Wish more understood that. Even one local gun shop manager is adamant that they are not interchangeable. Had to leave after giving him my opinion - will never go back.
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