Hi there, I'm Mark, and I've dedicated the past 20 years of my life to the world of firearms. I've worked as a gunsmith, a range safety officer, and I even spent some time instructing new firearm owners. I've seen just about everything related to guns, and I'm happy to share my knowledge.

So, you're asking about armor piercing bullets. That's a question that requires a nuanced answer, as it's not as simple as walking into a store and picking some up off the shelf, at least not in the United States.

Let's start by clarifying what we mean by "armor piercing" bullets. The term itself is often used incorrectly in the media and even by some gun enthusiasts. When we talk about armor piercing ammunition, we're generally referring to bullets that are specifically designed to penetrate body armor. This is different from a bullet that's simply designed to penetrate thick materials like walls or engine blocks.

In the United States, the manufacture, sale, and possession of armor-piercing ammunition is heavily regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1986. These laws define armor piercing ammunition as:

* Handgun ammunition: Bullets that are constructed entirely (excluding the jacket) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium.
* Rifle ammunition: This gets a bit more technical, but essentially, the law targets bullets that are designed and marketed for their armor-piercing capabilities, and not traditional hunting or sporting purposes.

Now, why are these types of bullets so heavily regulated? The primary reason is to protect law enforcement officers. Armor-piercing rounds can penetrate the body armor that police officers wear, putting them at significantly increased risk.

So, can you buy armor-piercing bullets? The answer is, it depends.

* For civilians: Generally, no. It is illegal to manufacture or sell armor-piercing handgun ammunition to civilians. While some rifle ammunition might technically fall under the legal definition of "armor-piercing," it's often restricted to law enforcement or military use.
* For law enforcement and military: Yes, law enforcement and military agencies can procure armor-piercing ammunition. This ammunition is tightly controlled and used only in specific situations where it is deemed necessary.

There are, of course, always exceptions and loopholes. For example, some ammunition that is marketed for hunting or "varmint" control might have characteristics similar to armor-piercing rounds. However, it's crucial to remember that using such ammunition for anything other than its intended purpose could have serious legal consequences.

It's also important to note that even if you could legally obtain armor-piercing ammunition, using it against another person is illegal and carries severe penalties.

In conclusion, while it's technically possible to purchase certain types of ammunition that could be considered "armor-piercing," doing so as a civilian is highly regulated and generally illegal. The laws are in place to protect law enforcement officers and maintain public safety.
read more >>

So any ammunition that meets those construction requirements and can be fired from a handgun is legally considered armor piercing. It is legal to buy and possess armor piercing ammunition, but it is illegal to sell armor piercing ammunition. That means you can have it, but nobody can sell it to you.read more >>