Teflon coated bullet

Teflon-coated bullets are handgun bullets that have been covered with a coating of Teflon to reduce barrel wear. Molybdenum disulfide is also sometimes used as a coating.

History

In the 1960s, Paul Kopsch (an Ohio coroner), Daniel Turcos (a police sergeant), and Donald Ward (Kopsch's special investigator), began experimenting with special purpose handgun ammunition. Their objective was to develop a law enforcement round capable of improved penetration against hard targets, such as windshield glass and automobile doors. Conventional bullets, made primarily from lead, often become deformed and less effective after striking hard targets, especially when fired at handgun velocities. The inventors named their company "KTW," after their initials.

After some experimentation with steel rounds, the officers settled on a brass core. Unlike lead, which is relatively malleable, brass wore out barrels far more quickly than normal jacketed rounds, since the brass did not reform to fit the rifling. For this reason, the bullets were then coated with a layer of Teflon to reduce barrel wear.

In 1982, NBC ran a special on the bullets and argued that the bullets were a threat to police. Gun control organizations in the U.S. labeled Teflon-coated bullets "cop killers" because of the supposedly increased penetration the bullets offered against bullet proof vests, a staple of the American police uniform. Supporters of gun control believed that the Teflon coating was responsible for this increased penetration [http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=694332&category=OPINION&newsdate=6/8/2008] ] despite the fact that the material is only an outer coating for the brass penetrator and usually peels off during its trajectory through the air. Ultimately, there is no evidence that Teflon-coated rounds penetrate bullet proof vests more easily than standard bullets.

Legal Status

The federal ban on armor-piercing ammunition uses only the composition of the bullet's core to determine legality. However, many states have legislation restricting various kinds of coating materials. For example, South Carolina state law specifically bans "ammunition or shells that are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)" (SC Code 16-23-520).

Federally, this is the following statute under the Gun Control Act of 1968 as modified in 1986 and subsequently in 1994:

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.

This “so-called” ‘ban’ is on the manufacturing and on importation of armor piercing (AP) ammunition –– not the sale and transfer. Manufacturing AP ammunition requires a Federal Firearms License of the “Manufacturer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices, and Armor Piercing Ammunition” Type-10 FFL. Importation of AP ammo requires an “Importer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices, and Armor Piercing Ammunition” Type-11 FFL. Both three-year licenses cost $3000.00, and require the additional yearly paid $1000.00 Special Occupational Tax Stamp.

Additionally, an importer’s FFL requires registration with the Federal-Government under the Arms Export Control Act. This is codified under Title 27 CFR Chapter II Part 447 — Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War (This section was formerly designated as Part 47). Briefly, the fee schedule is as follows:

1 year ........................ $250

2 years........................ $500

3 years........................ $700

4 years........................ $850

5 years........................ $1,000

For additional academic study, you should contact the BATF(E) directly, or on the web and download publication 5300.4

Actual possession by the “law-abiding” citizens is not “banned” for “sporting purposes,” such as target shooting and such. Purchase is restricted to dealers, and must be purchased from licensed manufacturers and importers described above. Sales is controlled by other FFL dealers and licensed collectors who must keep a detailed log book or “acquisition and disposition” (A&D) book similar to a manufacture/dealer’s A & D (Firearm(s) Acquisition & Disposition) Book.

Read the BATF(E) publication 5300.4 carefully before acquiring or selling such ammunition as (SIMULTANEOUS) compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws is not optional –– it is MANDATORY. This above info is NOT all inclusive –– contact BATF(E) (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) for info on full compliance. You can download publication 5300.4 from the BATF(E) website at this URL, or their local field office will send you a copy for free.

[ [http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2005/p53004/index.htm] ]

References

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[http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=694332&category=OPINION&newsdate=6/8/2008 "Gun restrictions a sensible move toward safety "]
# http://www.alphadogweb.com/firearms/copkillerbullets.htm
# http://www.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopel200403010926.asp