Showing posts with label Legal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Legal. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
NRA-ILA :: Current Legislation - State -Brady`s Barnes Sinks To The Gutter
NRA-ILA :: Current Legislation - State: "Brady`s Barnes Sinks To The Gutter
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Anyone who doubts the depths to which the Brady Campaign will sink to advance its extremist gun ban agenda should do so no more. In a March 3 press conference to announce the introduction of legislation by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Charles Schumer, and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) to ban the FN 5.7mm caliber Five seveN pistol, the Brady Campaign`s President, Mike Barnes, stooped to a new low.
Even though 'armor piercing ammunition' has been restricted under federal law since 1986, Brady and the anti-gun politicians nevertheless claimed that 5.7mm ammunition available to the general public penetrates bullet-resistant vests.
That lie is bad enough. But then Barnes demonstrated his group`s complete and utter disregard for gun safety and its flaming zeal to further restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners, challenging NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre to 'put on a bullet proof vest, and we`ll fire the weapon at him, and see what happens.'
Claims made by Brady, Lautenberg, Schumer, and their ilk would lack credibility under any circumstances. But Barnes`s outrageous comment, along with Brady`s lies about the pistol and its ammunition, prove that the group has severed all ties to reality. For anyone interested in the facts, the BATFE--the nation`s regulatory authority over firearms and ammunition--has already made it clear that the pistol and ammunition that is available to the public are legal for importation and sale under federal law. (See www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/fabriquen.htm)
Further, anyone who is even remotely familiar with firearms safety knows that you never point a gun--loaded or unloaded--at someone for anything other than defensive purposes."
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Anyone who doubts the depths to which the Brady Campaign will sink to advance its extremist gun ban agenda should do so no more. In a March 3 press conference to announce the introduction of legislation by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Charles Schumer, and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) to ban the FN 5.7mm caliber Five seveN pistol, the Brady Campaign`s President, Mike Barnes, stooped to a new low.
Even though 'armor piercing ammunition' has been restricted under federal law since 1986, Brady and the anti-gun politicians nevertheless claimed that 5.7mm ammunition available to the general public penetrates bullet-resistant vests.
That lie is bad enough. But then Barnes demonstrated his group`s complete and utter disregard for gun safety and its flaming zeal to further restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners, challenging NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre to 'put on a bullet proof vest, and we`ll fire the weapon at him, and see what happens.'
Claims made by Brady, Lautenberg, Schumer, and their ilk would lack credibility under any circumstances. But Barnes`s outrageous comment, along with Brady`s lies about the pistol and its ammunition, prove that the group has severed all ties to reality. For anyone interested in the facts, the BATFE--the nation`s regulatory authority over firearms and ammunition--has already made it clear that the pistol and ammunition that is available to the public are legal for importation and sale under federal law. (See www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/fabriquen.htm)
Further, anyone who is even remotely familiar with firearms safety knows that you never point a gun--loaded or unloaded--at someone for anything other than defensive purposes."
NRA-ILA :: Current Legislation - State - Brady Video Shoots Blanks
NRA-ILA :: Current Legislation - State: "Brady Video Shoots Blanks
Friday, January 28, 2005
In an obvious setup for an ammunition-banning 'killer amendment' to defeat pro-gun legislation, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) have once again proven that they`ve never seen a gun they won`t try to ban. The target of this week`s sparsely attended Washington news conference was FN Herstal`s 'Five-SeveN,' an expensive and still rare polymer-framed handgun. At the same time they attack .50 caliber rifles for their large bullets and long-range capability, the anti-gun groups falsely claim the Five-SeveN--specially designed for short-range use with small, lightweight bullets--poses a threat to police.
The truth is, this pistol and its ammunition were approved for importation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), which stated that the ammunition is 'not armor piercing' under Federal law. BATFE also noted that in tests by FN--one of Europe`s most respected firearm manufacturers--bullets from the Five-SeveN wouldn`t penetrate two kinds of soft body armor (you can see BATFE`s statement at: www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/fabriquen.htm).
Law enforcement agencies and manufacturers follow 57 pages of detailed instructions when testing armor. Brady 'ballisticians' simply shot a vest draped over a bale of hay and handed out a video.
The Brady Campaign`s latest media hysteria is clearly aimed at defeating pro-Second Amendment bills such as the 'Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.' Last year, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) was soundly beaten at that game, when the Senate rebuffed his ploy to saddle the lawsuit bill with an amendment that would have banned most hunting rifle ammunition. The Senate rejected"
Friday, January 28, 2005
In an obvious setup for an ammunition-banning 'killer amendment' to defeat pro-gun legislation, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) have once again proven that they`ve never seen a gun they won`t try to ban. The target of this week`s sparsely attended Washington news conference was FN Herstal`s 'Five-SeveN,' an expensive and still rare polymer-framed handgun. At the same time they attack .50 caliber rifles for their large bullets and long-range capability, the anti-gun groups falsely claim the Five-SeveN--specially designed for short-range use with small, lightweight bullets--poses a threat to police.
The truth is, this pistol and its ammunition were approved for importation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), which stated that the ammunition is 'not armor piercing' under Federal law. BATFE also noted that in tests by FN--one of Europe`s most respected firearm manufacturers--bullets from the Five-SeveN wouldn`t penetrate two kinds of soft body armor (you can see BATFE`s statement at: www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/fabriquen.htm).
Law enforcement agencies and manufacturers follow 57 pages of detailed instructions when testing armor. Brady 'ballisticians' simply shot a vest draped over a bale of hay and handed out a video.
The Brady Campaign`s latest media hysteria is clearly aimed at defeating pro-Second Amendment bills such as the 'Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.' Last year, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) was soundly beaten at that game, when the Senate rebuffed his ploy to saddle the lawsuit bill with an amendment that would have banned most hunting rifle ammunition. The Senate rejected"
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Two Notable New Military Small Arms - Trends in Small Arms and Light Weapons Development: Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Dimensions
Two Notable New Military Small Arms - Trends in Small Arms and Light Weapons Development: Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Dimensions
Two Notable New Military Small Arms
As mentioned previously, two newly developed small arms (together with their ammunition) appear to offer unique enhanced effectiveness and/or lethality. These are the H&K G11 (firing 4.73 x 33 mm caseless ammunition) and the FN P 90 (firing the small caliber 5.7 x 28 mm ammunition). These bullpup-design small arms have characteristics that warrant a more detailed examination of their capabilities.
...
FNP 90.56 The characteristics of the FN 5.7 x 28 mm P 90 personal defence weapon system make it more properly akin to a sub-machine gun than an assault rifle. The weapon is ultra-modern, easy to maintain, very light, and reliable. It can be equipped with a laser target designator as well as a wide variety of day and night sights. It has a standard integrated optical sight with no magnification. Like the G 11, its most significant characteristic is its ammunition. The development of this cartridge reflects NATO concerns that the 9 x 19 mm ball ammunition used in most handguns and sub-machine guns possesses insufficient power for the battlefield of the 21st century, where various types of body armour will be commonplace. Designed to provide (according to FN literature) substantially more lethality than the 9 mm round it is designed to replace, it also weighs less that 50 per cent of the latter round. Thus, like the G-11 caseless, a soldier can carry many more cartridges than before. It should be noted that the maximum effective range of this weapon is listed as 200 metres, less than the 300 to 600 metres of most assault rifles and the 1,000 metres of other rifles, but better than any pistol and most sub-machine guns. Of further significance is the fact that a pistol (the five-seven, with a twenty round magazine) has also been developed for the same round.
The SS190 5.7 mm round (it is actually the same bore size as the NATO 5.56 mm round but has a much shorter cartridge case – 28 mm versus 45 mm) is made in full metal jacket (ball), tracer, subsonic and blank forms. It is advertised as capable of creating a larger wound cavity in Fackler gelatin (5 cm by 30 cm) than either the 9 mm jacketed round ( 3 cm with over penetration) or the 9 mm hollow point (4 cm by 40 cm variable penetration).57 Because it transfers most of its energy to the target, it is less likely to exit a target and strike something else. In comparison with the 9 mm FMJ round, it is also advertised as being less susceptible to ricochet and, with a shorter range lethality, less susceptible to creating casualties beyond the range of the intended target. These characteristics make it particularly attractive to military special operations units and police tactical units. In addition, the 5.7 x 28 mm round fired from a P 90 can penetrate 48 plies of kelvar body armour at 200 metres. The characteristics of the round when fired from the five-seven pistol are equivalent but with relative shorter ranges.
The P 90 and its ammunition is in production only in Belgium58 and is believed to be in the inventory of Saudi Arabia's Special Forces, together with some Far Eastern states. Several police forces in Europe are also armed with the P 90. It is priced at approximately US $950, with the price of ammunition at about 30 cents a round. It should be noted that this small arm is being actively marketed for police forces and internal security force organizations. While it generally appears to meet new NATO specifications for a replacement round for the 9 mm, its adaptation is far from assured. This is due in large part to the fact that many states still use the 9 mm and the replacement of these weapons solely for the purpose of standardization would be an expensive proposition (again, a similar problem as regards the G 11, 4.73 mm caseless ammunition).
From a SALW control perspective the ammunition is a matter for some concern (particularly from the law enforcement perspective) due to its ability to penetrate police protective gear. From a civilian stand point, if the wound ballistics are indeed more devastating than other rounds, then there may be a likelihood of more fatalities. Whether or not in a case such as Rwanda or even the Balkans there would have been more fatalities if such ammunition was in wide use is difficult to determine. While it would not be too difficult to legally ban the ammunition and the firearms capable of chambering such a round to civilians,59 this does not mitigate its effect and potential misuse by government authorities – be they law enforcement officials or military units. The requirements of police forces and the need to penetrate body armour (whether military or that worn by criminals) presents a conundrum for those who believe the round could cause unnecessary wound effects and concomitant suffering.
...
56 Paul Tweedale, the Canadian FN Herstal representative provided much of the information contained herein and was forthright in answering all questions. The author was permitted to handle and fire both the P 90 and the Five-seven pistol. Additional views and collateral information on the P 90 were obtained from: Jane's Infantry Weapons, p. 88, and from http://www.remtek.com/arms/fn/p90/index.htm.
57 Note that the 9 mm hollow point would be banned under the "rules of war" but the 5.7 mm jacketed ammunition would not – even though the wound ballistics would appear to be potentially more traumatic. Thus, if all police forces adopted this round they would be in compliance with the international rules of war. At least one senior police force official believes that the wounding capacity of the round is insufficient.
58 The simplicity of the P 90 and the fact that its ammunition is essentially a 5.56 mm bullet in a different casing suggests that both could easily be manufactured in any country currently capable of producing SALW and ammunition. FN Herstal have noted that "the SS190 can be manufactured on existing production lines".
59 The ammunition is banned for civilian use under the Criminal Code of Canada as of December 1998.
Two Notable New Military Small Arms
As mentioned previously, two newly developed small arms (together with their ammunition) appear to offer unique enhanced effectiveness and/or lethality. These are the H&K G11 (firing 4.73 x 33 mm caseless ammunition) and the FN P 90 (firing the small caliber 5.7 x 28 mm ammunition). These bullpup-design small arms have characteristics that warrant a more detailed examination of their capabilities.
...
FNP 90.56 The characteristics of the FN 5.7 x 28 mm P 90 personal defence weapon system make it more properly akin to a sub-machine gun than an assault rifle. The weapon is ultra-modern, easy to maintain, very light, and reliable. It can be equipped with a laser target designator as well as a wide variety of day and night sights. It has a standard integrated optical sight with no magnification. Like the G 11, its most significant characteristic is its ammunition. The development of this cartridge reflects NATO concerns that the 9 x 19 mm ball ammunition used in most handguns and sub-machine guns possesses insufficient power for the battlefield of the 21st century, where various types of body armour will be commonplace. Designed to provide (according to FN literature) substantially more lethality than the 9 mm round it is designed to replace, it also weighs less that 50 per cent of the latter round. Thus, like the G-11 caseless, a soldier can carry many more cartridges than before. It should be noted that the maximum effective range of this weapon is listed as 200 metres, less than the 300 to 600 metres of most assault rifles and the 1,000 metres of other rifles, but better than any pistol and most sub-machine guns. Of further significance is the fact that a pistol (the five-seven, with a twenty round magazine) has also been developed for the same round.
The SS190 5.7 mm round (it is actually the same bore size as the NATO 5.56 mm round but has a much shorter cartridge case – 28 mm versus 45 mm) is made in full metal jacket (ball), tracer, subsonic and blank forms. It is advertised as capable of creating a larger wound cavity in Fackler gelatin (5 cm by 30 cm) than either the 9 mm jacketed round ( 3 cm with over penetration) or the 9 mm hollow point (4 cm by 40 cm variable penetration).57 Because it transfers most of its energy to the target, it is less likely to exit a target and strike something else. In comparison with the 9 mm FMJ round, it is also advertised as being less susceptible to ricochet and, with a shorter range lethality, less susceptible to creating casualties beyond the range of the intended target. These characteristics make it particularly attractive to military special operations units and police tactical units. In addition, the 5.7 x 28 mm round fired from a P 90 can penetrate 48 plies of kelvar body armour at 200 metres. The characteristics of the round when fired from the five-seven pistol are equivalent but with relative shorter ranges.
The P 90 and its ammunition is in production only in Belgium58 and is believed to be in the inventory of Saudi Arabia's Special Forces, together with some Far Eastern states. Several police forces in Europe are also armed with the P 90. It is priced at approximately US $950, with the price of ammunition at about 30 cents a round. It should be noted that this small arm is being actively marketed for police forces and internal security force organizations. While it generally appears to meet new NATO specifications for a replacement round for the 9 mm, its adaptation is far from assured. This is due in large part to the fact that many states still use the 9 mm and the replacement of these weapons solely for the purpose of standardization would be an expensive proposition (again, a similar problem as regards the G 11, 4.73 mm caseless ammunition).
From a SALW control perspective the ammunition is a matter for some concern (particularly from the law enforcement perspective) due to its ability to penetrate police protective gear. From a civilian stand point, if the wound ballistics are indeed more devastating than other rounds, then there may be a likelihood of more fatalities. Whether or not in a case such as Rwanda or even the Balkans there would have been more fatalities if such ammunition was in wide use is difficult to determine. While it would not be too difficult to legally ban the ammunition and the firearms capable of chambering such a round to civilians,59 this does not mitigate its effect and potential misuse by government authorities – be they law enforcement officials or military units. The requirements of police forces and the need to penetrate body armour (whether military or that worn by criminals) presents a conundrum for those who believe the round could cause unnecessary wound effects and concomitant suffering.
...
56 Paul Tweedale, the Canadian FN Herstal representative provided much of the information contained herein and was forthright in answering all questions. The author was permitted to handle and fire both the P 90 and the Five-seven pistol. Additional views and collateral information on the P 90 were obtained from: Jane's Infantry Weapons, p. 88, and from http://www.remtek.com/arms/fn/p90/index.htm.
57 Note that the 9 mm hollow point would be banned under the "rules of war" but the 5.7 mm jacketed ammunition would not – even though the wound ballistics would appear to be potentially more traumatic. Thus, if all police forces adopted this round they would be in compliance with the international rules of war. At least one senior police force official believes that the wounding capacity of the round is insufficient.
58 The simplicity of the P 90 and the fact that its ammunition is essentially a 5.56 mm bullet in a different casing suggests that both could easily be manufactured in any country currently capable of producing SALW and ammunition. FN Herstal have noted that "the SS190 can be manufactured on existing production lines".
59 The ammunition is banned for civilian use under the Criminal Code of Canada as of December 1998.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Excerpt from Annual Report on International Efforts toProhibit Military Small Arms by W. Hays Parks
Excerpt:
For several reasons, the United States has expressed its opposition to the Swiss small arms proposal:
The Swiss argument focuses on bullet yaw. This is not a new phenomenon. The latest technologies and scientific advances, many of which were developed by Colonel Martin L. Fackler, MC, USA, (Ret.), including his wound ballistics methodology, establish that virtually every military rifle projectile used since 1899, whether Spitzer or round-nosed (such as the Italian Carcano), yaws in soft tissue depending on a variety of circumstances. Most will fragment at closer ranges. For example, the U.S. 5.56x45mm M193 and M855 (NATO SS-109) begin their yaw after traveling an average of eleven to twelve centimeters in soft tissue. Seventy per cent will yaw at twelve centimeters. Fifteen per cent will yaw sooner, while fifteen per cent will yaw later. The Swiss proposal makes undue use of variation in effect, incorrectly offering early yaw as the average and as the threshold for determining legality. Under the Swiss argument, the fifteen per cent that yaw early are presented as the norm, which they argue is illegal. 7 It is an arbitrary standard badly skewed and misrepresented to make their case to the less informed.
7 While initially stating that their methodology would not ban any existing military projectile, Swiss papers suggest that the Russian 5.45x39mm AK-74 would be illegal. Swiss representatives also have informed the French that their 5.56x45mm most certainly would be banned. Questions offered at the 2001 wound ballistics workshop (using the Swiss criteria) cast in doubt personal defense weapons (PDW) such as Fabrique Nationale’s 5.7x28mm round, and Heckler & Koch’s 4.6x30mm round, neither of which approaches the lethality of the 5.56x45mm NATO SS-109. For an assessment of the PDW, see Charles M. Hayes, “Personal Defense Weapons – Answer in Search of a Question?,” Wound Ballistic Review 5,1 (Spring 2001), pp. 30-36.
For several reasons, the United States has expressed its opposition to the Swiss small arms proposal:
The Swiss argument focuses on bullet yaw. This is not a new phenomenon. The latest technologies and scientific advances, many of which were developed by Colonel Martin L. Fackler, MC, USA, (Ret.), including his wound ballistics methodology, establish that virtually every military rifle projectile used since 1899, whether Spitzer or round-nosed (such as the Italian Carcano), yaws in soft tissue depending on a variety of circumstances. Most will fragment at closer ranges. For example, the U.S. 5.56x45mm M193 and M855 (NATO SS-109) begin their yaw after traveling an average of eleven to twelve centimeters in soft tissue. Seventy per cent will yaw at twelve centimeters. Fifteen per cent will yaw sooner, while fifteen per cent will yaw later. The Swiss proposal makes undue use of variation in effect, incorrectly offering early yaw as the average and as the threshold for determining legality. Under the Swiss argument, the fifteen per cent that yaw early are presented as the norm, which they argue is illegal. 7 It is an arbitrary standard badly skewed and misrepresented to make their case to the less informed.
7 While initially stating that their methodology would not ban any existing military projectile, Swiss papers suggest that the Russian 5.45x39mm AK-74 would be illegal. Swiss representatives also have informed the French that their 5.56x45mm most certainly would be banned. Questions offered at the 2001 wound ballistics workshop (using the Swiss criteria) cast in doubt personal defense weapons (PDW) such as Fabrique Nationale’s 5.7x28mm round, and Heckler & Koch’s 4.6x30mm round, neither of which approaches the lethality of the 5.56x45mm NATO SS-109. For an assessment of the PDW, see Charles M. Hayes, “Personal Defense Weapons – Answer in Search of a Question?,” Wound Ballistic Review 5,1 (Spring 2001), pp. 30-36.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
BATF Postition on Military Configurations (April 1998)
Exhibit 5
MILITARY CONFIGURATION
1. Ability to accept a detachable magazine. Virtually all modern military firearms are designed to accept large, detachable magazines. This provides the soldier with a fairly large ammunition supply and the ability to rapidly reload. Thus, large capacity magazines are indicative of military firearms. While detachable magazines are not limited to military firearms, most traditional semiautomatic sporting firearms, designed to accommodate a detachable magazine, have a relatively small magazine capacity. Additionally, some States
have a limit on the magazine capacity allowed for hunting, usually five or six rounds.
2. Folding/telescoping stock. Many military firearms incorporate folding or telescoping stocks. The main advantage of this item is portability, especially for airborne troops. These stocks allow the firearm to be fired from the folded position, yet it cannot be fired nearly as accurately as with an open stock. With respect to possible sporting uses of this feature, the folding stock makes it easier to carry the firearm when hiking or backpacking. However, its predominant advantage is for military purposes, and it is normally not found on the traditional sporting rifle.
3. Pistol grips. The vast majority of military firearms employ a well-defined separate pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. In most cases, the “straight line design” of the military weapon dictates a grip of this type so that the shooter can hold and fire the weapon. Further, a pistol grip can be an aid in one-handed firing of the weapon in a combat situation. Further, such grips were designed to assist in controlling
machineguns during automatic fire. On the other hand, the vast majority of sporting firearms employ a more traditional pistol grip built into the wrist of the stock of the firearm since one-handed shooting is not usually employed in hunting or organized competitive target competitions.
4. Ability to accept a bayonet. A bayonet has distinct military purposes. First, it has a psychological effect on the enemy. Second, it enables soldiers to fight in close quarters with a knife attached to their rifles. No traditional sporting use could be identified for a bayonet.
5. Flash suppressor. A flash suppressor generally serves one or two functions. First, in military firearms it disperses the muzzle flash when the firearm is fired to help conceal the shooter’s position, especially at night. A second purpose of some flash suppressors is to assist in controlling the "muzzle climb" of the rifle, particularly when fired as a fully automatic weapon. From the standpoint of a traditional sporting firearm, there is no particular benefit in suppressing muzzle flash. Flash suppressors that also serve to dampen muzzle climb have a limited benefit in sporting uses by allowing the shooter to reacquire the target for a second shot. However, the barrel of a sporting rifle can be modified by "magna-porting" to achieve the same result. There are also muzzle attachments for sporting firearms to assist in the reduction of muzzle climb. In the case of military-style weapons that have flash suppressors incorporated in their design, the mere removal of the flash suppressor may have an adverse impact on the accuracy of the firearm.
6. Bipods. The majority of military firearms have bipods as an integral part of the firearm or contain specific mounting points to which bipods may be attached. The military utility of the bipod is primarily to provide stability and support for the weapon when fired from the prone position, especially when fired as a fully automatic weapon. Bipods are available accessory items for sporting rifles and are used primarily in long-range shooting to enhance stability. However, traditional sporting rifles generally do not come equipped with bipods, nor are they specifically designed to accommodate them. Instead, bipods for sporting firearms are generally designed to attach to a detachable “slingswivel mount” or simply clamp onto the firearm.
7. Grenade launcher. Grenade launchers are incorporated in the majority of military firearms as a device to facilitate the launching of explosive grenades. Such launchers are generally of two types. The first type is a flash suppressor designed to function as a grenade launcher. The second type attaches to the barrel of the rifle by either screws or clamps. No traditional sporting application could be identified for a grenade launcher.
8. Night sights. Many military firearms are equipped with luminous sights to facilitate sight alignment and target acquisition in poor light or darkness. Their uses are generally for military and law enforcement purposes and are not usually found on sporting firearms since it is generally not legal to hunt at night.
MILITARY CONFIGURATION
1. Ability to accept a detachable magazine. Virtually all modern military firearms are designed to accept large, detachable magazines. This provides the soldier with a fairly large ammunition supply and the ability to rapidly reload. Thus, large capacity magazines are indicative of military firearms. While detachable magazines are not limited to military firearms, most traditional semiautomatic sporting firearms, designed to accommodate a detachable magazine, have a relatively small magazine capacity. Additionally, some States
have a limit on the magazine capacity allowed for hunting, usually five or six rounds.
2. Folding/telescoping stock. Many military firearms incorporate folding or telescoping stocks. The main advantage of this item is portability, especially for airborne troops. These stocks allow the firearm to be fired from the folded position, yet it cannot be fired nearly as accurately as with an open stock. With respect to possible sporting uses of this feature, the folding stock makes it easier to carry the firearm when hiking or backpacking. However, its predominant advantage is for military purposes, and it is normally not found on the traditional sporting rifle.
3. Pistol grips. The vast majority of military firearms employ a well-defined separate pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. In most cases, the “straight line design” of the military weapon dictates a grip of this type so that the shooter can hold and fire the weapon. Further, a pistol grip can be an aid in one-handed firing of the weapon in a combat situation. Further, such grips were designed to assist in controlling
machineguns during automatic fire. On the other hand, the vast majority of sporting firearms employ a more traditional pistol grip built into the wrist of the stock of the firearm since one-handed shooting is not usually employed in hunting or organized competitive target competitions.
4. Ability to accept a bayonet. A bayonet has distinct military purposes. First, it has a psychological effect on the enemy. Second, it enables soldiers to fight in close quarters with a knife attached to their rifles. No traditional sporting use could be identified for a bayonet.
5. Flash suppressor. A flash suppressor generally serves one or two functions. First, in military firearms it disperses the muzzle flash when the firearm is fired to help conceal the shooter’s position, especially at night. A second purpose of some flash suppressors is to assist in controlling the "muzzle climb" of the rifle, particularly when fired as a fully automatic weapon. From the standpoint of a traditional sporting firearm, there is no particular benefit in suppressing muzzle flash. Flash suppressors that also serve to dampen muzzle climb have a limited benefit in sporting uses by allowing the shooter to reacquire the target for a second shot. However, the barrel of a sporting rifle can be modified by "magna-porting" to achieve the same result. There are also muzzle attachments for sporting firearms to assist in the reduction of muzzle climb. In the case of military-style weapons that have flash suppressors incorporated in their design, the mere removal of the flash suppressor may have an adverse impact on the accuracy of the firearm.
6. Bipods. The majority of military firearms have bipods as an integral part of the firearm or contain specific mounting points to which bipods may be attached. The military utility of the bipod is primarily to provide stability and support for the weapon when fired from the prone position, especially when fired as a fully automatic weapon. Bipods are available accessory items for sporting rifles and are used primarily in long-range shooting to enhance stability. However, traditional sporting rifles generally do not come equipped with bipods, nor are they specifically designed to accommodate them. Instead, bipods for sporting firearms are generally designed to attach to a detachable “slingswivel mount” or simply clamp onto the firearm.
7. Grenade launcher. Grenade launchers are incorporated in the majority of military firearms as a device to facilitate the launching of explosive grenades. Such launchers are generally of two types. The first type is a flash suppressor designed to function as a grenade launcher. The second type attaches to the barrel of the rifle by either screws or clamps. No traditional sporting application could be identified for a grenade launcher.
8. Night sights. Many military firearms are equipped with luminous sights to facilitate sight alignment and target acquisition in poor light or darkness. Their uses are generally for military and law enforcement purposes and are not usually found on sporting firearms since it is generally not legal to hunt at night.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
OFFICIAL BATF Classification of Five-seveN and 5.7x28mm Ammunition
FN 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol is a semiautomatic pistol in 5.7 X 28 mm caliber
1/20/05
In response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge, the following technical information is provided.
FTB classified SS196 ammunition as not armor piercing.
The FN 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol is a semiautomatic pistol in 5.7 X 28 mm caliber.
Type: Double Action Only or Single Action (in Tactical model).
Chambering: 5.7x28mm.
Length: 208 mm
Barrel length: 122.5 mm
Magazine: 20 rounds.
The FN 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol is a semiautomatic pistol in 5.7 X 28 mm caliber approved for importation as a sporting firearm.
The classification of all ammunition is governed strictly by the definitions presented in the GCA. Specifically, as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(17)(B), the term "armor piercing ammunition" means-
a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or
a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile.
FTB has also examined a 5.7 X 28 mm projectile that FN Herstal has designated the "SS196." The SS196 is loaded with a Hornady 40 grain, jacketed lead bullet. FTB classified SS196 ammunition as not armor piercing ammunition under Federal firearms statutes.
According to FNH USA, FN Herstal tested the SS192 ammunition. SS192 ammunition did not penetrate the Level IIIA vests that were tested. FNH USA states that SS196, Hornady V-Max 40 gr. bullets fired from a 4-3/4 inch barrel did not penetrate the Level II vests that were used in testing.
FNH USA has informed FTB that SS192 is no longer imported for commercial sale to the United States and that commercial sales of 5.7 X 28mm ammunition are restricted to the SS196 (not armor piercing).
FN Herstal 5.7 X 28mm Ammunition
SS190 - Armor piercing (AP)
SS191 - AP Tracer
SS192 - Hollow Point (not AP)
SB193 - AP Subsonic
SS195 - "Green" - lead free hollow point projectile with copper jacket (not AP)SS196 - Sporting round (Hornady 40 gr. V-max, hollow point lead), (not AP)10700004 Blank (not classified as ammunition under Federal law)
10700005 Dummy
[Ed - Some of the ammunition designations don't match other sources, eg. L191, T194]
1/20/05
In response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge, the following technical information is provided.
FTB classified SS196 ammunition as not armor piercing.
The FN 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol is a semiautomatic pistol in 5.7 X 28 mm caliber.
Type: Double Action Only or Single Action (in Tactical model).
Chambering: 5.7x28mm.
Length: 208 mm
Barrel length: 122.5 mm
Magazine: 20 rounds.
The FN 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol is a semiautomatic pistol in 5.7 X 28 mm caliber approved for importation as a sporting firearm.
The classification of all ammunition is governed strictly by the definitions presented in the GCA. Specifically, as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(17)(B), the term "armor piercing ammunition" means-
a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or
a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile.
FTB has also examined a 5.7 X 28 mm projectile that FN Herstal has designated the "SS196." The SS196 is loaded with a Hornady 40 grain, jacketed lead bullet. FTB classified SS196 ammunition as not armor piercing ammunition under Federal firearms statutes.
According to FNH USA, FN Herstal tested the SS192 ammunition. SS192 ammunition did not penetrate the Level IIIA vests that were tested. FNH USA states that SS196, Hornady V-Max 40 gr. bullets fired from a 4-3/4 inch barrel did not penetrate the Level II vests that were used in testing.
FNH USA has informed FTB that SS192 is no longer imported for commercial sale to the United States and that commercial sales of 5.7 X 28mm ammunition are restricted to the SS196 (not armor piercing).
FN Herstal 5.7 X 28mm Ammunition
SS190 - Armor piercing (AP)
SS191 - AP Tracer
SS192 - Hollow Point (not AP)
SB193 - AP Subsonic
SS195 - "Green" - lead free hollow point projectile with copper jacket (not AP)SS196 - Sporting round (Hornady 40 gr. V-max, hollow point lead), (not AP)10700004 Blank (not classified as ammunition under Federal law)
10700005 Dummy
[Ed - Some of the ammunition designations don't match other sources, eg. L191, T194]
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Friday, October 01, 1999
Trends in Small Arms and Light Weapons Development: Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Dimensions
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