Let the panic buying resume: ATF proposes reclassifying steel core 5.56 as AP

[Angel Eyes]

Of course we still have the problem of the guns that shoot the ammo being "easier to buy than vegetables" (I assume that includes arugula).

I never had to fill out a 4473 to buy a head of lettuce.

[makattak]

Warner and Connolly have yet to respond, but I'm sure the letter will be the same. Not just the same general content - I expect it to be THE SAME LETTER, on their own letterhead. I'll let you know if that turns out to be the case.

You have my sympathies.

[Brad Johnson]

Publishing error, my Aunt Annie's fanny. 

I guess this was an accident, too:

ATF FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING WHETHER CERTAIN PROJECTILES ARE “PRIMARILY INTENDED FOR SPORTING PURPOSES” WITHIN THE MEANING OF 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17)(C)

http://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/Library/Notices/atf_framework_for_determining_whether_certain_projectiles_are_primarily_intended_for_sporting_purposes.pdf

That's no "publishing error", it's an official Notice of Determination. It's still out there, in effect, and with a comment period end date of 03/16/2015. I'd like to see how the sunzagrinches are gonna try and 'splain that away.

Brad

[Angel Eyes]

B-b-but they tweeted that it was a publishing mistake.

Tweets take precedence over Notices of Determination, don't they?

[Perd Hapley]

I reserve the right to own concealable, armor-piercing weaponry.

[freakazoid]

Publishing error, my Aunt Annie's fanny. 

I guess this was an accident, too:

That's no "publishing error", it's an official Notice of Determination. It's still out there, in effect, and with a comment period end date of 03/16/2015. I'd like to see how the sunzagrinches are gonna try and 'splain that away.

Brad

It's a publishing error all right. They published it before they had all their ducks in a row. Some office monkeys head is gonna roll for that one.

[cordex]

That's no "publishing error", it's an official Notice of Determination. It's still out there, in effect, and with a comment period end date of 03/16/2015. I'd like to see how the sunzagrinches are gonna try and 'splain that away.

To be clear, the "publishing mistake" was removing the exemption for M855 in their 2014 ATF Regulation Guide, not in releasing their plans to ban M855.

[Ron]

If M855 doesn't meet the criteria of being armor piercing why is there a specific exemption?

[MechAg94]

I reserve the right to own concealable, armor-piercing weaponry.

You might be able to still find some 3006 black tip ammo.  Or just 3006 FMJ ammo.  Maybe just save up to get one of the semi-auto 50 caliber guns.  You can get all the AP/incendiary ammo you want.

[Brad Johnson]

To be clear, the "publishing mistake" was removing the exemption for M855 in their 2014 ATF Regulation Guide, not in releasing their plans to ban M855.

Excactly, which they then tried to use as a convenient diveraion by saying "there"s no ban" in the tweet while they are actively taking comments on that very subject.

Brad

[TechMan]

Kathy Jackson over at the Cornered Cat has a really good guest analysis.

http://www.corneredcat.com/guest-post-whats-the-story-behind-atf-banning-5-56mm-ammo/

[MechAg94]

I saw 3 or 4 ammo cans at Academy yesterday.  900 rounds of M855 for $450.  The maker was Rio.  I normally only see their name on inexpensive shotgun ammo.

[birdman]

$0.54/rnd, still available
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1079530362621/general-dynamics-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-62-grain-ss109-penetrator-full-metal-jacket?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[bedlamite]

OK, so what does this mean?

http://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/Library/Publications/notice_of_publishing_error.pdf

[cordex]

$0.54/rnd, still available
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1079530362621/general-dynamics-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-62-grain-ss109-penetrator-full-metal-jacket?cm_vc=ProductFinding

As opposed to $0.34 a round on 2/14.

OK, so what does this mean?

http://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/Library/Publications/notice_of_publishing_error.pdf

The ATF published a regulations guide with the M855 exemption omitted as though the ban had already happened. They now claim that as an oversight rather than intentional.  Their proposal is still live.

[birdman]

As opposed to $0.34 a round on 2/14.

True, but less than the $0.90-1.00/rnd after sandy hook

[Perd Hapley]

You might be able to still find some 3006 black tip ammo.  Or just 3006 FMJ ammo.  Maybe just save up to get one of the semi-auto 50 caliber guns.  You can get all the AP/incendiary ammo you want.

I said "concealable." I'm certain I could find some .30-ought black-tip, but it's probably rusted up by now. Very damp down there, unfortunately.

[MechAg94]

I said "concealable." I'm certain I could find some .30-ought black-tip, but it's probably rusted up by now. Very damp down there, unfortunately.

The few rounds I have are fine.  We do have climate controlled homes down here. 

Has anyone ever made a 3006 pistol?  I know you can get a PTR-91 pistol in 308.  That will penetrate most body armor without specially ammo...or at least hit the person wearing it pretty hard.

[freakazoid]

The few rounds I have are fine.  We do have climate controlled homes down here. 

Has anyone ever made a 3006 pistol?  I know you can get a PTR-91 pistol in 308.  That will penetrate most body armor without specially ammo...or at least hit the person wearing it pretty hard.

You can get the Thompson Contender in 30-06.

[mtnbkr]

You can get the Thompson Contender in 30-06.

Encore.  Contender isn't strong enough for 30-06.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

Amazingly it is possible to scream loud enough for even the BATFEieio to notice...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/10/atf-shelves-controversial-bullet-ban-proposal/

Short story shorter: They are delaying any decision of the proposed Framework changes until "further considerations" can be made.

Translation: They got their hands caught in the cookie jar and, after a couple hundred thou (my guesstimate) screaming spittle-grams and an Official Nasty Note from more than half of House and Senate members, realized that We The People are dead serious about nailing them to the legal wall via the proposed change's direct conflict with FOPA '86. They will "further consider" how to not get their adzes publicly handed to them in a very televised Oversight Committee beat down session.

...which I would gladly pay to see.

Brad

[TechMan]

Posting from the horse's mouth.

http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2015-03-021015-advisory-notice-those-commenting-armor-piercing-ammunition-exemption-framework.html

NOTICE TO THOSE COMMENTING ON THE ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION EXEMPTION FRAMEWORK

Thank you for your interest in ATF's proposed framework for determining whether certain projectiles are “primarily intended for sporting purposes” within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17)(C). The informal comment period will close on Monday, March 16, 2015. ATF has already received more than 80,000 comments, which will be made publicly available as soon as practicable.

Although ATF endeavored to create a proposal that reflected a good faith interpretation of the law and balanced the interests of law enforcement, industry, and sportsmen, the vast majority of the comments received to date are critical of the framework, and include issues that deserve further study. Accordingly, ATF will not at this time seek to issue a final framework. After the close of the comment period, ATF will process the comments received, further evaluate the issues raised therein, and provide additional open and transparent process (for example, through additional proposals and opportunities for comment) before proceeding with any framework.

[MechAg94]

PSA had the 420 round cans of M855 in their daily email today for $250, which is about $80 or so more expensive.  I guess the price might get back to what it was in 6 months or a year.

[wmenorr67]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/10/atf-shelves-controversial-bullet-ban-proposal/

The statement follows 52 senators and 238 House members joining in opposition to any attempt the Obama administration might make to ban the ammo.

Maybe someone has started to listen to the masses and realized that a line in the sand is quickly approaching.

[Kingcreek]

Although ATF endeavored to create a proposal that reflected a good faith interpretation of the law and balanced the interests of law enforcement, industry, and sportsmen, the vast majority of the comments received to date are critical of the framework, and include issues that deserve further study. Accordingly, ATF will not at this time seek to issue a final framework.

IOW, the outcry grew large enough and loud enough that it could no longer be ignored.
Score for our side.