Vitter, Scalise Urge ATF to Rescind Ammunition Reclassification

Press Release

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) are urging the Obama Administration to withdraw their reclassification of a popular type of ammunition, which will make it much harder for consumers to purchase that ammunition and diminish gun owners' Second Amendment rights. Vitter and Scalise are challenging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) proposal to classify M855 ball ammunition as "armor piercing ammunition."

"This is just a political attempt by ATF to infringe on Second Amendment rights by prohibiting perfectly legal ammunition," Vitter said. "There is no legal argument, justification or common sense reason for them to make this change, and they need to immediately scrap the misguided effort."

"This Administration has shown time and again its disregard for the Constitution. This latest power grab is an affront to Americans' Second Amendment rights, and is baseless in statutory authority and evidence," Scalise said.

The ATF claims that the proposed reclassification of M855 ball ammunition under the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1986 are because the ammunition is armor piercing, and is designed for use in a handgun. In their letter, Vitter and Scalise highlight the flaws in ATF's proposal, highlighting that they have no statutory authority or evidence to make an argument to make the change.

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