I can't make sense of Texas Armor Piercing Ammo Laws
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:54 am
Texas 46.05 (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells:
46.05 (3) armor-piercing ammunition;
46.01 (12) “Armor-piercing ammunition” means handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body armor and to be used principally in pistols and revolvers.
I am only interested in the 'possession' 'primarily' and 'knowingly' parts. I know normally that ignorance of the law is not a defense but this is ignorance of the ballistics performance of a given round.
How would I know what a round was primarily designed for ?
If I don't knowingly know that a round can defeat armor then how could I know it ? YouTube videos and marketing claims can be faked.
Unless I personally shoot a round or many rounds through metal or body armor then how could I have any knowledge of the round's capability? I haven't done so.
Would factors such as how the round was advertised? My YouTube history, etc come into play? (of course the court loves to bring as much into play as possible)
What about what classifies as body armor? Level II, Level III or IIIa or just 6 layers of denim?
What a mess. I'd much prefer if there was just a list of ammo that was prohibited rather than be left guessing what intentions, knowledge or primarily means.
46.05 (3) armor-piercing ammunition;
46.01 (12) “Armor-piercing ammunition” means handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body armor and to be used principally in pistols and revolvers.
I am only interested in the 'possession' 'primarily' and 'knowingly' parts. I know normally that ignorance of the law is not a defense but this is ignorance of the ballistics performance of a given round.
How would I know what a round was primarily designed for ?
If I don't knowingly know that a round can defeat armor then how could I know it ? YouTube videos and marketing claims can be faked.
Unless I personally shoot a round or many rounds through metal or body armor then how could I have any knowledge of the round's capability? I haven't done so.
Would factors such as how the round was advertised? My YouTube history, etc come into play? (of course the court loves to bring as much into play as possible)
What about what classifies as body armor? Level II, Level III or IIIa or just 6 layers of denim?
What a mess. I'd much prefer if there was just a list of ammo that was prohibited rather than be left guessing what intentions, knowledge or primarily means.