Recently the ATF has decided that with the influx of AR
pistol variants out there, they now need to ban M855 “green tip ammo.” This is
based solely on the idea that it is an armor piercing ammunition and that
constitutes a higher threat to law enforcement officers. At best, this is flawed logic and at worst,
outright stupidity. While we have an excellent relationship with the ATF agents
we work with, it would appear that the higher up you go in the organization, the more it is
run by individuals with no practical experience in the fields they are supposed
to legislate. With the exception of
alcohol, because the only way someone could make a decision like this is if they
were blindingly hammered on 90 proof moonshine, confiscated from the backwoods
of Appalachia by some poor field agent who put their life on the line to obtain it.
First off, all rifle ammunition (or any necked cartridge for
that matter) is inherently “armor piercing” against all modern soft armor. On
even the highest soft armor rating, IIIA, the manufacturer clearly states it is
only rated for .44 Magnum ammunition. The
production, use, or implementation of a pistol capable of firing rifle ammo
does not magically make it armor piercing. The CZ 52 fires 7.62x25mm Soviet
ammunition and has been defeating soft body armor for years before anyone even
considered making an AR pistol or since the Five Seven came to the market. Even some
high velocity .22 ammunition has been known to slip through vests. My point: armor
piercing is a very subjective term.
Secondly, the M855 is not the superior defensive round for
5.56. When the US Military switched over to M855 from M193, they did so because
it performed better against barricades and windshield glass. This took place at
the cost of terminal performance. This was brought about by the Hague
Convention which addressed the issue of weapons that may cause unnecessary
suffering or indiscriminate effects. Basically, at a velocity of over 2500 feet
per second, the M193 will tumble, yaw and fragment. This was a distress for
someone in Washington and it was decided that we needed to adopt a more
“humane” round. On a side note, I will go on to point out how unbelievably
ridiculous this is, considering we never signed the accord from that particular
convention.
Third, the worry that the higher incident of AR pistol
builds and purchase is somehow a greater threat to law enforcement is outright
laughable. It typically seems that criminals who intend on committing violent
crime with a firearm do so by procuring the least expensive one they can find,
as they most likely will not be holding onto it after said crime is committed. While
AR pistols are not all that expensive in the grand scheme of things, they are
not exactly the cheapest pistol out there. They are also not nearly as
concealable as the ATF would like to make them appear either. Now while the
ownership and staff of A3 do not advocate this, should you try to conceal an
AR pistol and walk into your local public establishment, I
don’t think it will go over very well for you. At best you get a few questions. At worst you get shot.
In conclusion I will say this: this is just one more instance
of a branch of the government justifying its existence and trying to impose
rules on us in the name of public safety. It is our responsibility to reach out
to our legislators, who are OUR voices in
Washington and have them oppose such attacks on our freedoms. If they fail in
this, it is our duty to find someone who will listen to their constituents.
Reach out to yours here: http://nssf.org/GovRel/takeAction2.cfm?alertID=80492
Photo Credit: NRA-ILA https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150218/your-action-urgently-needed-to-prevent-batfe-from-banning-common-rifle-ammunition
