The First 48

[Commander]

I was watching a repeat episode of The First 48 a couple of nights ago.
At one point the investigator asked a potential suspect about what kind
Of guns she owned. When she told him that one of the guns she owned was
An FN 5.56, he said " the FN is designed for one thing - penetrating bullet proof
Vests". I caught my self shouting at the screen "thats not correct "
I don't know much about the FN but Im sure that was an incorrect statement.
Am I right?

[Commander]

You're right. I had my numbers wrong. It bothers me when misinformation is given out as fact like that.

[JCole]

...It bothers me when misinformation is given out as fact like that.

You must scream at the TV a lot, then!

[gigag04]

You mean the FN 5.7mm? Well, one of the intentions was to design a bullet for it that would penetrate a NATO vest, sure - that was the SS190 bullet specifically.

However, ATF won't let mere civilians have ammo which is loaded with that projectile.

Not letting someone to "own" something is not the same as preventing it.

[The Annoyed Man]

You mean the FN 5.7mm? Well, one of the intentions was to design a bullet for it that would penetrate a NATO vest, sure - that was the SS190 bullet specifically.

However, ATF won't let mere civilians have ammo which is loaded with that projectile.

Not letting someone to "own" something is not the same as preventing it.

Plus, after you've fired that ammo at someone, you don't own it anymore anyway.....

[karder]

I understand and agree with the need to keep our officers safe. That being said, when cross border cartels can get bullet proof vests and kevlar helmets with no trouble at all, I don't believe that banning the SS190 from civilian ownership is appropriate. The government cannot provide me any assurance that I will not have to deal with an armored attacker, but if I am going to obey the law, they can assure that I won't have mission appropriate ammo in the event such an attack happens.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

FYI - For anyone not familiar with "The First 48", it is a super good series where in each episode 2 murders are
investigated in 2 different American cities. The camera follows the actual Homicide Division detectives around as
they investigate the crime scene, follow up on leads, and maybe 95% of the time they are able to arrest the perps
by the end of the show.

I'm a fan of the show, and they are pretty detailed about how the investigation proceeds, but as a gun-knowledgable
viewer, they usually don't give me much red meat regarding the firearm used, or if it's ever confiscated from the perp
after he's been arrested.

This thread's show did ID a particular gun (the FN 5.7). Usually they just say it's a 9MM or a .45. The only other time they ID'd
a gun was an episode where a lady in Harris County, Texas (Houston area) was murdered at her "game room".
The weapon used to murder her was at first only ID'd as a 9MM pistol, but they later showed a picture and it was a
Smith and Wesson Sigma. After the murder, the perps pawned the gun. IIRC, the Harris County detectives were able
to take possession of the pistol from the pawn shop.

SIA

[michael e]

Didnt see this episode, I do have a few on the dvr to watch still. I like that this season seams to be in Houston for ones I have seen.

[trvlgnome]

"The FN is designed for and only useful for killing people." I heard almost those exact words from the CHL instructor I recently did my renewal with. Along with "no one needs to own one."
That wasn't the only thing he said that I didn't agree with but, when the guys got to sign your qualification form, you don't want to argue with him too much.

[karder]

"The FN is designed for and only useful for killing people."

Interesting to hear such a statement from a CHL instructor. It sounds a bit contradictory. If I am in the unfortunate position where I have been left with no option but to use deadly force, it seems that a weapon specifically designed for inflicting deadly force would be a good choice. I am not saying the FN is the only or best choice of weapon to defend yourself with, but that instructor's philosophy in general seems a bit off. I have been carrying the FivenseveN for awhile now and I have yet to go on a rampage. It has so far failed to possess me and turn me into a murderer. I guess I should consider myself lucky.