ATF Withdraws Plans to Ban Popular M855 Projectiles

After receiving more than 80,000 comments from the public, mostly highly critical, the ATF has withdrawn a proposal to ban the M855 steel core projectiles or so called “green tip” ammunition. Although a future ban is not out of the question, for now these highly popular projectiles will remain legal and most likely widely available.

Weeks ago, the ATF put forth a proposal to ban the M855 projectiles and reclassify them as armor piercing, citing concerns over law enforcement safety. The proposed framework set off a flood of criticism from the shooting community and even concerns from congress over the application of existing law.

The ATF will stop taking comments on the proposed changes on the 16th, and all public comments concerning the ban will be made available soon. Here is the full statement from the ATF:

Thank you for your interest in ATF’s proposed framework for determining whether certain projectiles are “primarily intended for sporting purposes within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17)(C). The informal comment period will close on Monday, March 16, 2015. ATF has already received more than 80,000 comments, which will be made publicly available as soon as practicable.

Although ATF endeavored to create a proposal that reflected a good faith interpretation of the law and balanced the interests of law enforcement, industry, and sportsmen, the vast majority of the comments received to date are critical of the framework, and include issues that deserve further study. Accordingly, ATF will not at this time seek to issue a final framework. After the close of the comment period, ATF will process the comments received, further evaluate the issues raised therein, and provide additional open and transparent process (for example, through additional proposals and opportunities for comment) before proceeding with any framework.