After Pointed Questions from Noem and Others, ATF Retracts Ammunition Ban Proposal

Press Release

After pointed questions from Rep. Noem and others, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) retracted a controversial proposal to ban certain ammunition that is popular with hunters and sportsmen.

"Under no circumstances should ATF adopt a standard that would ban ammunition that is overwhelmingly used by law-abiding Americans for legitimate purposes," said Rep. Noem. "Like many hunters and sportsmen across the country, I am relieved the ATF has withdrawn this inappropriate proposal from the Obama administration. It would be a severe abuse of power to infringe upon law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights and I'm pleased to see the administration back down."

On February 13, 2015, the Obama administration issued a proposal that would ban the M855 5.56 x 45mm cartridge, saying it qualified as an "armor piercing" projectile and could therefore be banned as a means to protect law enforcement officers. Numerous concerns have arisen since the administration's proposed regulations were released. Most notably, while millions upon millions of M855 rounds have been sold and used in the U.S., no evidence has been presented that even one such round has ever been fired from a handgun at a police officer.

Rep. Noem joined more than 200 Members of Congress in writing a letter last week that questioned the ATF's "armor piercing" classification, their decision not to publish the proposed "Framework" as is required, and what other rounds the ATF is considering regulating as armor-piercing ammunition.

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