Is armor piercing ammo illegal to own in Wisconsin?

Answer 1

You can own AP ammo in WI. Not just law enforcement.

Federal law only applies to manufacture, importation, or sale by a dealer to civilians.

It is illegal to manufacture AP ammo without a FFL. It is illegal for a FFL to sell it to you. If you get AP ammo somehow, it is not illegal to possess except with a handgun chambered for it and in the commission of a crime.

2010 Wisconsin Code

Chapter 941. Crimes against public health and safety.

941.296 Use or possession of a handgun and an armor-piercing bullet during crime

941.296

941.296 Use or possession of a handgun and an armor-piercing bullet during crime.

941.296(1)

(1) In this section:

941.296(1)(a)

(a) "Armor-piercing bullet" means a bullet meeting any of the following criteria: any projectile or projectile core that may be fired from any handgun and that is constructed entirely, excluding the presence of traces of other substances, from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper or depleted uranium.

941.296(1)(b)

(b) "Handgun" has the meaning given in s. 175.35 (1) (b).

941.296(2)

(2) Whoever uses or possesses a handgun during the commission of a crime under chs. 939 to 948 or 961 is guilty of a Class H felony under any of the following circumstances.

941.296(2)(a)

(a) The handgun is loaded with an armor-piercing bullet or a projectile or projectile core that may be fired from the handgun with a muzzle velocity of 1,500 feet per second or greater.

941.296(2)(b)

(b) The person possesses an armor-piercing bullet capable of being fired from the handgun.

941.296 - ANNOT.

History: 1993 a. 98; 1995 a. 448; 2001 a. 109.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now federal

The definition of AP ammo is 18 USC sec. 921(a)(17):

"(B) The term `armor piercing ammunition' means-

(i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and

which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other

substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass,

bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or

(ii) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and

intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25

percent of the total weight of the projectile.

(C) The term `armor piercing ammunition' does not include shotgun shot

required by Federal or State environmental or game regulations for hunting

purposes, a frangible projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile

which the Secretary finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting

purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the Secretary

finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge

used in an oil and gas well perforating device."

[Secretary means Secretary of the Treasury, in reality determinations

are delegated to the Technology Branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco

and Firearms (ATF)]

ATF has listed the following rounds as AP ammo:

All KTW, ARCANE, and THV ammo.

Czech made 9mm Para. with steel core.

German made 9mm Para. with steel core.

MSC .25 ACP with brass bullet.

BLACK STEEL armor and metal piercing ammunition.

7.62mm NATO AP and SLAP.

PMC ULTRAMAG with brass bullet (but not copper).

OMNISHOCK .38 Special with steel core.

7.62x39 ammo with steel core bullets.

ATF has specifically exempted the following rounds:

5.56 SS109 and M855 NATO rounds, with a steel penetrator tip.

.30-06 M2 AP ammo.

18 USC sec. 923(e) allows the revocation of a dealer's FFL

for willfully transferring AP ammo.

Answer 2

Yes, it is because people would be shooting police and authority with kevlar vests if it were legal! I'm sorry to say it but, you are incorrect: If you are NOT a (FFL) licensee under the Gun Control Act (an individual):

It is: ok to OWN AP ammo

ok to SELL AP ammo

ok to BUY AP ammo

ok to SHOOT AP ammo

NOT ok to MAKE AP ammo (18 USC sec. 922(a)(7))

NOT ok to IMPORT AP ammo (18 USC sec. 922(a)(7)) The definition of AP ammo is at 18 USC sec. 921(a)(17):

"(B) The term `armor piercing ammunition' means-

(i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and

which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other

substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass,

bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or

(ii) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and

intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25

percent of the total weight of the projectile. 4) CONSTRUCTION - The bullet must either have a core made ENTIRELY out

of one or more of the listed metals, or be a full jacketed type bullet

with a jacket comprising more that 25% of its weight.

5) Hardness of the bullet is irrelevant.

6) Ability to actually penetrate any kind of soft body armor is irrelevant.