DISCLAIMER: I am not a legal expert. You are responsible for knowing the law and abiding by it. What follows are my thoughts regarding my understanding of law based on my own research & interpretation. Do not use my words or thoughts alone as your basis for action. Research & know the law before you purchase or use a firearm.
Myth 2: Hollow point ammunition is illegal in California
Myth 2a: Hollow point ammunition is more dangerous that full metal jacket (round nose, flat nose etc.)
I've heard these often and just as often, these myths are expressed not so much in words as they are in the expression of the person who sees me in possession of hollow point ammunition.
In fact, when talking with some friends a few months ago about the ammunition I purchase and the differences between range & carry ammo, one friend was adamant that I was breaking the law by owning hollow point ammunition.
In another example, I showed a friend who was new to firearms ownership and was asking about ammunition choices, what a hollow point round looks like (I had one in my backpack). He just outed the question: "aren't those more dangerous than regular bullets?"
First of all, as always, if you have a question about CA gun laws, Google is your friend. So is the Cal Guns Foundation and their forums.
Second, when talking about firearms and what's more or less dangerous, remember - we're talking about firearms.
Third, before selecting any ammunition, be sure to read all of your firearm's owner manual including (but not limited to) ammunition use. Also check the barrel or slide of your firearm to make sure you have the right caliber.
Now, let's take a look at State law regarding hallow point bullets. Oh wait, there isn't any. That's right. There are no California Penal Codes that make owning, purchasing, or using hallow point ammunition a crime (within the context of protected self-defense and firearms laws of course). Now, I know I used bullets and ammunition interchangeably there...I know the difference and you get what I mean. But, for the sake of brevity, the bullet is the object that launches out of the case, whereas ammunition represents the bullet, case, primer, and powder together. Ok...moving on. My point is, it's not illegal at all.
However, the city of San Francisco, has banned purchasing of hollow point ammunition within the city limits, and an appeal by the NRA was not accepted by the US Supreme Court who would not hear the matter, effectively allowing local governments to ban the sale of goods, even those goods protected by the second amendment. This may lead to the confusion, but I think it actually stems from a miss-understanding perpetuated by the media & liberal politicians.
There is also the case that international laws governing war have banned the use of hollow point ammunition. Why? Well, because it is more lethal...I'll get to what that means in a sec. But on the flip side, it is much, much safer to use in urban settings where most issues of personal defense play out.
How is it both more lethal, and safer to use?
That has to do with ballistics, forensic science, and bullet design. You see, full metal jacket (FMJ) or any round nose or flat nose traditional bullets, penetrate objects, and they penetrate really well. Doors, windows, walls, cars etc. In fact, they penetrate so well, they often poke a hole through someone about the same shape and size of the bullet, and proceed to poke a hole through whatever was behind the person. They go right through objects like filing cabinets, car doors, or other barriers you may try to hide behind. According to science & research on this subject, most people survive a gunshot wound because the damage is limited and highly unlikely to disrupt a vital function of the body. If you can stop the bleeding, you'll likely survive. That's great news right! Yes, if you want to slow down your aggressor, or give them the opportunity to stop on their own. You see, also according to science, the thing that stops most people who have been shot, isn't the physical damage...it's psychological. That's why in so many real-world shootings, you see people continuing to function after being shot. There was a recent example near where I live of someone who was shot and didn't realize it for several hours.
The other issue with FMJ ammunition especially, is it is designed to fragment on entry. The intention is to create as much internal tissue disruption as possible and to prevent over penetration. The problem here is when bullets fail to expand, and even when they do, those little fragments can get lodged into bone, or pass through other non-lethal areas. It should cause any normal person to stop, but there's no guarantee that they will stop, and there's less guarantee that they will die. That's great news again right?
Both of these realities create significant issues however, when it comes to self protection and urban settings where violence is often based on rage or influenced by drugs & alcohol where normal psychological processes are already disrupted by the aggressor. In war, we find many soldiers doing their job in their right state-of-mind. However, in urban settings, when lethal force is warranted (and legal), it's because you are facing down someone who intent on causing your serious bodily harm and/or death. They intend to murder you. They aren't in a sound state-of-mind. In war, you are also trying to fight man-to-man, not directly protecting young ones or other innocent bystanders. This is the problem with FMJ especially. That's normal ammunition that's round nosed and fully encased (you don't see lead).
Let's say you are in your house and an aggressor enters, passionate to steal whatever they can get their hands on, harming whomever gets in their way. If you fire an FMJ indoors, it's going to go through people and walls...and potentially people on the other side. Yes, even smaller calibers, and sometimes especially smaller calibers where the bullet is traveling really fast and the smaller diameter results in less resistance to material. You'll likely hit your target, and other unintended targets which could include the people you are trying to protect. Same is true let's say in a crowded mall or other urban setting. FMJs over penetrate.
The other problem is the issue of "stopping power." I'm not going to get into the religious caliber debate on that one. Suffice it to say, the "experts" who do science on this day in and day out agree that "stopping power" from a caliber perspective is a myth - it's about what the bullet disrupts, no matter the size. Don't believe me, then ask yourself why teams like the US Navy Seals have chosen the 9mm Glock 19 as their official sidearm. Or ask yourself why the FBI ammunition protocols are met by 9mm Hornady Critical Duty ammunition. It's just a fact, now let's move on. Remember also that what stops most people is the realization that they have been shot and the fear of what will happen next. Someone in the field of war who is shot, is more likely to stop. They have that realization. Someone who is under the influence of passion or substance, will likely not pause to think rationally, and fear may be completely suppressed by rage. In a self-defense situation, you are protecting your life and/or those of innocent people around you from an immediate threat. You need to stop it. Now.
Enter hallow points. They were designed to expand on impact, creating not only larger wound disruption and potential for vital process interruption, but also causing massive resistance which helps to stop them quickly. Thus over-penetration is unlikely with a hallow point bullet, while vital process disruption is more likely. The chances of stopping the aggressor regardless of their mental state is increased, and you won't likely be shooting through walls or through people given the expansion design of the bullet. Now, there are always variables and nuances, but these are general truths.
There's also the factor of physics and transfer of energy. When an object passed through another, more energy is retained by the object in motion, and the stationary object "feels" less impact. However, when the stationary object absorbs all of the energy from the object in motion, the impact is much more severe. I've never been shot, but it's easy to imagine that the impact of a hollow point and my body absorbing all of that energy from that projectile moving at over 1,000 feet-per-second...is going to give me quite the shock. This translates again to that psychological element of being shot. The recipient is going to be given greater reason to pause.
San Francisco's ban may help reduce the likelihood of death from gunshots, and may offer the aggressors among us an opportunity to reflect on their life during their moment of rage, but they are putting those of us on the defensive side at greater risk. Much greater risk. The law protects the malicious while creating greater risk for the innocent.
But to address the myth - hallow point bullets are not illegal. In fact, they are safer.
No comments:
Post a Comment