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AP & Incindiary Ammo?

patrick729
I'm thinking about buying some AP and/or incindiary ammo but I'm not sure if it's legal in Tennessee. I went to the ATF site and AP ammo is classified as restricted ammo and it says you can't use it in the commision of a crime DUH. So I guess It's legal to own and shoot but I want to be sure. It says incindiary ammo is illegal to sell and also illegal to use in Tennessee but DOES NOT say it is illegal to own it. So if you own it as a curio item or collectable is it legal as long as you're not shooting it? Please help me with some answers I don't want to get in any trouble for owning ANYTHING thats illegal.
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • RancheroPaul
    It is my understanding that the BATF allows possession and the use of that which is here and individually owned but doesn't allow new manufacture sales or imports of it. I have been told they, (BATF), require you to keep some sort of log if you sell this stuff.....not sure what type of log or what must be included, but have been told this.

    Some States have passed their own laws regarding AMMO, and it would be best to find out from the Authorities in your own State....even the Department of Wildlife or Fish and Game Department....whatever it may be called there. Good Luck!

    I Miss The World I Grew Up In!
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  • nmyers
    I found the BATF regs on this subject to be unclear, mainly because the regs have been changed at least once, & it's difficult to tell what the latest ruling is. I believe that the only real problem is HANDGUN AP ammo, since Congress was worried about so-called "cop killer" bullets. However, given the current concerns about Homeland Security, I think that a prudent person might want to avoid ANY AP ammo.

    I fired incendiary ammo several times in the Army. Unless it was raining at the time, the bullets would start brush fires EVERYWHERE. I believe that it is too dangerous to store anywhere but an ammo bunker; I would not keep it in MY house.

    Neal
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  • p3skyking
    Years ago I bought a belt of 8mm ammo for the BESA machinegun. There were no markings on the bullets so I figured that they were all ball. I then de-linked the ammo.

    The American Rifleman published an article around that time that told how the British had marked the BESA rounds with the headstamp and what each code was.

    Turns out I had ball, AP, I, and T rounds. The incendaries and tracers were dabbed with the appropriate colors for my own info. I fired a few and got mixed results.

    Really not any additional hazard for storage. Use GI metal ammo cans and you should be okay.

    Just my experience.

    What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
    A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour
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  • Iconoclast
    Patrick,

    There are companies making Incendiary and Tracer ammo for civilian markets. I've seen quite a bit of it which is illustrative of the fact there are no Federal restrictions on AP or Incendiary ammo, except a prohibition on AP ammo in "handgun calibers" and some BS about 7.62x39 AP in an Executive Order (Bush I, I think). I see this material - both original and new production - offered for sale all the time - at shows or on line for shooting, as collectible (much of it can be), etc.

    The part which trips folks up is that there are a gazillion state and municipal laws & regulations. In some jurisdictions, it is illegal to own, others where it is illegal to shoot, others where it is illegal to sell . . . mix or match, take your pick. At least for collector material, I am not aware of any restrictions on ownership or sale in TN . . . this is not legal advice, just my observation based on sales to and from the state. If you can't find what you need on the ATF site (not a big surprise), you should check with your state authorities.

    Bear in mind, you have to take all sorts of precautions in shooting this material even if it is legal to do own, buy / sell or shoot. The AP is much more likely to ricochet. While it is obvious that incendiaries are likely to start fire, so to are tracers. Finally, the residues left in a barrel by either of the latter two types - either on their own or as part of a multi purpose round - will erode a barrel faster than standard ammunition and usually leave residues in the barrel which can initiate or aid oxidation of steel (i.e. - RUST) - so you need to be particularly diligent in cleaning the firearms after using it.
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