ATF Looking at Reclassifying M855 (UPDATE 3/12: CHANGING TACTICS)

[BrigandTwoFour]

Saw this today.

ATF notice to reclassify M855

Essentially, it boils down to this: The ATF has continued to let M855 (and similar) stay on the market because it was a rifle round and the only handguns that fired it were single shot break actions like the Thompson Contender. With the rise of AR pistols, M855 now readily meets the definition of armor piercing handgun ammunition, since it can be loaded into a box magazine and fired from a handgun. Therefore, they are looking to restrict its sale. Check the link for the whole proposal.

At the end you will find:

Submit comments in any of three ways (but do not submit the same comments multiple
times or by more than one method):
 ATF website: APAComments@atf.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
 Fax: (202) 648-9741.
 Mail: Denise Brown, Mailstop 6N-602, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs
and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 99 New York Avenue,
NE, Washington, DC 20226: ATTN: AP Ammo Comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Brown, Enforcement Programs and
Services, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,
U.S. Department of Justice, 99 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20226; telephone:
(202) 648-7070.

[Quiet]

BATFE is moving to classify 5.56x45mm M855/SS109 ammo as armor piercing ammo.

"As explained above, in 1986, ATF held that 5.56mm projectiles in SS109 and M855 cartridges were exempt. Further, in 1992, ATF held that 30-06 M2AP cartridges were also exempt. In each case, ATF found that, “it is well documented” that the respective ammunition “has been recognized as being suitable for target shooting with rifles due to its accuracy.” These cartridges were originally produced for the military and were only later adopted by civilians for sporting purposes. When assembled into a complete cartridge, the projectiles were exempt, but ATF did not exempt the projectiles before the cartridges were assembled. Applying the sporting purposes framework set-forth above, the 5.56mm projectile that ATF exempted in 1986 does not qualify for an exemption because that projectile when loaded into SS109 and M855 cartridges may be used in a handgun other than a single-shot handgun. Specifically, 5.56mm projectiles loaded into the SS109 and M855 cartridges are commonly used Framework for Deciding Sporting Purpose Ammunition pursuant to 18 USC 921(a)(17) in both “AR-type” rifles and “AR-type” handguns. The AR platform is the semi-automatic version of the M16 machinegun originally designed for and used by the military. The AR-based handguns and rifles utilize the same magazines and share identical receivers. These AR-type handguns were not commercially available when the armor piercing ammunition exemption was granted in 1986. To ensure consistency, upon final implementation of the sporting purpose framework outlined above, ATF must withdraw the exemptions for 5.56 mm “green tip” ammunition, including both the SS109 and M855 cartridges."

If this happens, it will be legal to own it and use it.
But, illegal to buy it or make it.

ATF will be accepting public comments on this subject until 03-16-2015

[jpmuscle]

FFS.......


Gotta keep that stuff out civilian hands don't ya know.

[BrigandTwoFour]

They go on talking about exemptions for all-copper rounds (like Barnes TSX) due to sporting purpose utility, especially in states like California that have banned lead hunting ammo. But those rounds also meet the definition of armor piercing, per the original legal language. I wonder how long it will be before those get targeted as well.

[SteyrAUG]

This will thrill everyone with a 1/7 twist barrel.

[ColtSeavers]

I... son of a... gawdamnit... wonderful, just wonderful...

[Moose-Knuckle]

I called this after the BATFE ruling on 7N6, just more .gov asshatery . . .

[Leaveammoforme]

Delete

[SteyrAUG]

Flipping fracking flapping fraging chimichanga AR pistols.

"You need to SBR it" We said.
"Blah, blah, blah" They said.

AHHHHHH!

The important thing is you can put a SIG brace on an AR pistol and you don't have to register it. Remember?

Perhaps if we didn't REPEATEDLY REMIND ATF that there are now thousands of AR pistols that people are using as SBRs but claiming they are PISTOLS so it's ok.

Everyone bitches about the open carry retards, but I think we can thank the sig brace crowd for waking up the sleeping giant on this one.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Everyone bitches about the open carry retards, but I think we can thank the sig brace crowd for waking up the sleeping giant on this one.

My sentiments exactly.