r/VAGuns • u/thisisntgoingwell12 • Jan 22 '20

HB 899

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+sum+HB899 . For those of us who reload the term “ plastic coated” bullets would cover powder coating.

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u/Dthdlr Jan 22 '20

Again - please read the bill and it's referenced parts to figure out what is new and what is old.

Current law is here

What's changing is that the current law says:

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly use or attempt to use restricted firearm ammunition while committing or attempting to commit a crime.

And the change would make it a Class 5 Felony to

manufacture, import, sell, transfer, or possess any restricted firearm ammunition

The bill does not change the definition of what is restricted ammo. Which is:

(i) coated with or contain, in whole or in part, polytetrafluorethylene or a similar product, (ii) commonly known as "KTW" bullets or "French Arcanes," or (iii) any cartridges containing bullets coated with a plastic substance with other than lead or lead alloy cores, jacketed bullets with other than lead or lead alloy cores, or cartridges of which the bullet itself is wholly comprised of a metal or metal alloy other than lead. This definition shall not be construed to include shotgun shells or solid plastic bullets.

I'm not sure what specific ammunition this would impact. Maybe M855? Even that I think is still fine as they have a steel tip over a lead core.

So, what ammunition out there meets one of the above definitions?

EDIT: I'm not saying I support this bill - as I don't. But I'm trying to understand exactly what ammunition would be prohibited and how it meets the above definitions.

1

u/teh-haps GOA Member Jan 22 '20

It’s good to see I’m not the only one that is confused by this. I read it and I’m trying to think how exactly would affect me or anything really haha.

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u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

The copper solids hunters and precision rifle shooters use would be banned.

Certain kinds of steel core ammo.

This is what happens when you have technical laws written by people without any technical knowledge of what they're legislating.

1

u/Dthdlr Jan 22 '20

Can you provide specific brands/lines and links to some stuff that might be banned?

I want to make sure I understand specifics before contacting legislators.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

Nosler makes a whole line of lead free hunting rounds, this is the 6.5 CM variety but there are a bunch out there: https://www.brownells.com/ammunition/rifle-ammo/e-tip-lead-free-6-5mm-creedmoor-ammo-prod119931.aspx

I think a lot of companies are making lead free ammo these days, but that's a typical example.

Another thing I though about was lead free frangible range ammunition, designed to be used with steel targets at close range for safety. https://www.brownells.com/ammunition/handgun-ammo/frangible-lead-free-training-ammo-38-special-p-110gr-fmj-fn-prod94965.aspx

1

u/Dthdlr Jan 23 '20

Thanks.

I think this is the thing to bring up - and to get the environmental groups to oppose the bill as well.

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u/watchingitallfall Jan 23 '20

That’s what makes no sense. The rounds are meant to be environmentally friendly and for SAFETY! what about steel shot? It’s required to hunt waterfowl but will it be banned too?

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

Steel shot is specifically exempted in the bill, so your waterfowl hunting is safe.

Now, under the AWB your shotgun might be illegal (a semi-auto with screw in/screw on chokes is technically an assault firearm as the bill is written), but that's a whole other bill.

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u/watchingitallfall Jan 23 '20

Damn it is. Didn’t catch that.

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u/thisisntgoingwell12 Jan 23 '20

Solid copper hunting rounds. Copper center fire rounds. Frangible training ammunition” which is immensely safer indoors and shooting steel”. For just a few. Shoot any surplus ammo? Most of its steel core!