Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 6, 2023 04:01 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Brennan |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Restricting “Cop Killer” Bullets |
| Designed with no other purpose but to rip through the body armor of law enforcement and penetrate military equipment, armor piercing bullets, also known as “cop killer” bullets, threaten the lives of those charged with protecting our citizens. Historically, body armor was not in widespread use in the United States until the 20th century. Secondary to developing light armor and military technology, these penetrating forms of ammunition were developed. There is little or no persuasive reason for the availability of these bullets in a civilian population and the risks of these bullets in the wrong hands is substantial and catastrophic, particularly for law enforcement officers. These bullets were used in the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, who later advocated for further regulation of these bullets to support law enforcement. Reagan said armor piercing bullets were “designed to truly be a threat to law enforcement officers who, so many times, have to depend on bulletproof vests.”[1] These bullets were also in the hands of the Las Vegas shooter during the deadliest massacre in United States history and have been used to murder law enforcement officers equipped with body armor.[2] “Cop Killer” bullets are already prohibited in 20 states and the District of Columbia. This list does not include Pennsylvania, which still allows individuals to purchase, possess and transfer this military-grade ammunition, which may be used to harm the public servants we depend on to keep order. We cannot allow criminals to be better equipped than law enforcement, as we saw so hauntingly during the North Hollywood shooting in 1997. My proposed legislation would follow the lead of other states by prohibiting the possession, purchase and transfer of armor piercing bullets. It would provide exceptions for authorized individuals and groups, such as members of the Armed Forces and law enforcement officers. Our most basic responsibility is protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents. Please join me in doing so by supporting this common-sense reform to protect our residents and those charged with the already dangerous duty of protecting us. [1] “Remarks at the Annual Members Banquet of the National Rifle Association.” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, May 6, 1983 (available at https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/remarks-annual-members-banquet-national-rifle-association-phoenix-arizona); “The Exploding Bullets.” The Washington Post, April 4, 1981 (available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/04/04/the-exploding-bullets/e1bef826-a6f5-47e9-bc32-ff3914e1747b/)
[2] “Arizona man guilty of making ammo sold to Las Vegas shooter.” AP News, November 19, 2019 (available at https://apnews.com/article/aaa1fe22d3c343b2b1551dcdc14080d9); “Cop Killer used armor-piercing bullets, AR-15 and ‘wanted to kill police officers.” The Desert Sun, October 16, 2016 (available at https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2016/10/12/cop-killer-suspect-used-armor-piercing-bullets-ar-15/91926036/). |
Introduced as HB1117