JFPO Alert: Is S. 397 a Trojan Horse?

JFPO sends an alert regarding Is S. 397, and to me it does sound worrisome:

Part Three is where the trap is really sprung. Because this part instructs the U.S. Attorney General to 'conduct a study to determine whether a uniform standard for the testing of projectiles against Body Armor is feasible.'

NOTE WELL: The tests to determine whether or not ammo is 'armor piercing' are NOT to be conducted against armor plate, such as that used on military combat vehicles. The tests are to be conducted against body armor. And as anyone knowledgeable about firearms knows, VIRTUALLY ALL RIFLE AMMO WILL PENETRATE BODY ARMOR. So will some pistol ammo.

We asked firearms maker Len Savage if the warning we received was well-taken or whether this was simply a misinterpretation of the proposed law. Here's Len's reply:

'Yes. This gives the A.G. the power to say what is and is not 'armor piercing.' There is no language for what type of test is to be conducted (other than ballistic vests). If the test were on 1 inch 'rolled homogeneous armor plate' then there would be no problem. If the test is a level I 'vest' material, then EVERYTHING including .22 longs, are going to be illegal ammo.

'The bill would effectively give the power to decide to ONE person. NO vote, NO appeal, NO rights. (Just like the current mess with [the sloppy, no-standards testing practices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms].)

'I figured it was a matter of time before they got around to figuring out: Control the ammo and you control the guns. Of course there would be born a 'black market' for ammo, very close to the black market for marijuana, in size, scope, and risks. Next will be the sentencing recommendations for possession, and distributing (dealing). Components will be viewed as constructive intent of illegal manufacturing of 'terrorist material.'

'This is a dangerous path for America. I am forced to ask myself: Why the continued attack and obvious methodical disarming of American Citizens? There is only one answer: control and power.

Just as "Saturday-Night specials," "military-style assault weapons," "cop-killer bullets," and "sporting purposes" have all been used as deceptive, emotionally loaded key words to justify regulations and outright bans, it now appears that the designation "armor-piercing ammunition" is likely to be mis-applied in an attempt to deprive Americans of their rights.

We should all be asking some serious questions about the real impact S. 397 will have on our freedoms if it becomes law. One important question is: Why are our "leaders" so desperate that they would attempt to slip such a potentially draconian provision into a supposedly pro-gun bill?

JFPO also gives us a reminder of a reality check on the U.S. government's sloppy firearms testing procedures.

UPDATE: David Codrea at The War on Guns has also posted about this, as well as reminding us of a particular BATFE agent's firearms expertise.

UPDATE the SECOND: Triggerfinger has some further research that it may not be as bad as all that.