The new move by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to ban the manufacturing, importation and sale of M855 ball ammunition-one of the most common cartridges used in the AR-15-comes after the failed attempt by the Obama Administration to outlaw the AR-15.
From NRA-ILA:
In an attempt to suppress the acquisition, ownership and use of AR-15s and other .223 caliber general purpose rifles, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) is moving to ban a whole class of common rifle ammunition with a radical reinterpretation of a nearly 30-year-old law regulating so-called “armor piercing” ammunition. The BATFE's new “Framework” would prohibit the manufacturing, importation, and sale of M855 ball ammunition, one of the most popular cartridges for the AR-15, the most popular rifle in America. The Obama Administration's repeated attempts to outlaw the AR-15 and other firearms have been unsuccessful, so they're attempting to do what they see as the next best thing--ban one of the most popular types of ammunition the AR-15 uses.
To thwart BATFE's attempted action, NRA has worked with members of both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to draft letters to BATFE expressing the lawmakers' opposition to the proposed Framework. Efforts in the House were led by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. To read a copy of the House letter, please click this link. Efforts in the Senate were spearheaded by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. To read a copy of the Senate letter, please click this link. NRA would like to thank Rep. Goodlatte and Sen. Grassley for their leadership and quick action on this critically important issue.
NRA will be submitting its own detailed comments to BATFE in opposition to the ban and is continuing to work with Members of Congress on legislation that will put a stop to this abuse.
It cannot be overstated--gun owners and other affected members of the public must act now to help ensure BATFE does not get away with this latest attempt to deprive Americans of ammunition for their favorite rifle and to squeeze ammunition markets between converging bans on both lead and non-lead ammunition.
BATFE is accepting comments on their proposed ban and will consider all comments received on or before March 16, 2015. Please be sure to submit your respectful comments in opposition to the ban.
To find out how to submit your comments, visit NRA-ILA.org.
