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what ammo is not legal?

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5 comments

  • Iconoclast
    It varies like all get out. Many of the areas in Occupied Territory prohibit the purchase, sometimes even the possession, of many types of military ammo such as tracer, AP, incendiary and multipurpose (e.g., API). Also anything over a certain size, inert or not, etc. Only way to determine this is to go to the ATF site and research it for the state / municipality in question.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    Lobber... In calif it is illegal to have Armor piercing handgun ammo, but AP rifle ammo is ok. Also illegal is tracer, incindary, and exploding ammo as well as ammo larger than .50 caliber. The old teflon coated ammo that was designed to penetrate body armor I believe is also illegal.
    The NRA has gun laws pamphlets available for each state, and some gun shops may have some of them available.
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  • lead lobber
    So in CA are FMJ bullits ok? What about molly coated. I have no idea how they define AP ammo. I guess they have sold that or still do?
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  • rick_reno
    I'd suggest you call the DOJ and ask them what's legal. It's my understanding that moly coated is ok (you can make these at home, kits are available). Here is a section from AB99, it's possible that it defines "armor piercing"

    (b) "Handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or
    armor" means any ammunition, except a shotgun shell or ammunition
    primarily designed for use in rifles, that is designed primarily to
    penetrate a body vest or body shield, and has either of the following
    characteristics:
    (1) Has projectile or projectile core constructed entirely,
    excluding the presence of traces of other substances, from one or a
    combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, beryllium copper,
    or depleted uranium, or any equivalent material of similar density
    or hardness.
    (2) Is primarily manufactured or designed, by virtue of its shape,
    cross-sectional density, or any coating applied thereto, including,
    but not limited to, ammunition commonly known as "KTW ammunition," to
    breach or penetrate a body vest or body shield when fired from a
    handgun.
    (c) "Body vest or shield" means any bullet-resistant material
    intended to provide ballistic and trauma protection for the wearer or
    holder.
    (d) "Rifle" shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph
    (20) of subdivision (c) of Section 12020.
    SEC. 4. The changes made by Sections 2 and 3 of this act are
    declaratory of existing law.

    You can search Kalif. statues by going here http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/statute.html and entering keywords you are looking for.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    Lobber... Yes FMJ or full metal jacket is legal, and it is the most common type of ammo around and the cheapest for plinking or target shooting. If you want self defense ammo, I would get hollowpoint in a heavy bullet for better penetration.
    AP ammo (usually for rifles) will have a metal core that you cannot see but can detect with a magnet, and the military marks it with black paint on the bullet tip. The russians make a lot of their rifle ammo with a steel jacketed bullet that may or may not have the steel inner core, wolf brand is the most common. These will also stick to a magnet.
    One more thing, the current 5.56mm or .223 rifle round used by our military, the SS109 has a metal penetrator, but has green on the tip.
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