Restricted Ammuniton

By Aaron Spuler | October 13, 2010 |

Talked to some folks recently about restricted, or Law Enforcement, ammunition. Seems like it’s a bit of a gray area here. Many manufacturers sell LE ammunition and restrict the sales to law enforcement personnel. They do this on their own, and resellers are free to sell the LE ammunition to civilians.

It appears that the only type of ammunition that is restricted to civilians is the armor piercing variety. The relevant laws are USC 18.922 and USC 18.929.

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 929
§ 929. Use of restricted ammunition

      (a)

        (1) Whoever, during and in relation to the commission of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime (including a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime which provides for an enhanced punishment if committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of being fired in that firearm, shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such crime of violence or drug trafficking crime be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not less than five years.
        (2) For purposes of this subsection, the term “drug trafficking crime” means any felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46.
      (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not suspend the sentence of any person convicted of a violation of this section, nor place the person on probation, nor shall the terms of imprisonment run concurrently with any other terms of imprisonment, including that imposed for the crime in which the armor piercing ammunition was used or possessed.

    TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 922
    § 922. Unlawful acts

      (a) It shall be unlawful—

          (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;
Posted in Ammo

1 Comment

  1. Overload in CO on October 14, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    What is the legal definition of Armor Piercing Ammunition?