Encouraging News: Secret Service Doesn't Know Much About Bullets, May Have Jeopardized Case Against Assassination Suspect

The Secret Service agents that arrested Raymond Hunter Geisel claimed in their affidavit that 40 rounds (two boxes) of Black Talon bullets recovered from Geisel's vehicle are "armor-piercing," a claim that is categorically false.

Armor-piercing bullets have almost no legitimate use outside of shooting people wearing body armor. It is for this reason that it has been illegal to manufacture, import, transfer, or deliver armor-piercing ammunition in the United States since 1986, according to Title 18, U.S. Code Section 922.

The coating on Black Talon ammunition is merely an oxide designed to help minimize barrel fouling-it doesn't give bullets the ability to penetrate armor. The Black Talon cartridge uses industry standard velocities and hollowpoint bullets with an oxide finish. Hollowpoints are actually more likely to be stopped by body armor than most other bullet designs because of their increased surface area of the bullet shape. All ammunition recovered from Geisel's possession were types consistent with use in the shooting portion of the bail-bondsman class in which Geisel made threats.

Falsely claiming that Geisel's bullets are armor-piercing in information released to the media could be argued by an enterprising defense attorney as an intent to prejudice the case against Geisel by suggesting nefarious intent, when none could or should have been inferred by the incorrect description of the bullet type alone.

It's rather sad that one of our nation's most elite law enforcement agencies bought into an ignorant fantasy of magical coatings creating armor-piercing "cop killer" bullets, an illusion manufactured by the media and anti-gun groups more than a decade ago. It's worse that such ignorance might be used in the defense of a man who is accused of threatening political assassinations.

Source





California Woman, 93, Misfires At Burglar: "A 93-year-old Hemet woman shot at an intruder who entered her home, but she missed and the bullet went through a window and over a neighbor's home, Hemet police said Friday. The woman shot at the intruder who entered her home in the 300 block of South Street shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, Lt. Duane Wisehart said. She called police and they surrounded the home until she came out without the weapon, Wisehart said. The woman told police she heard someone in her home and armed herself with a pistol, then shot at the intruder as the man walked down her hall toward her. The bullet went through a kitchen window of the small, two-bedroom home, through a shade structure and over a house next door, Wisehart said. The intruder took some pieces of jewelry and a watch, Wisehart said. The woman will not be facing charges, Wisehart said."


Kentucky girl, 15, hospitalized after pit bull attack: "A 15-year-old girl was attacked by a friend's pit bull last weekend in Fairdale. The girl, whose name was not released, was hospitalized with multiple bite wounds. Her current condition was not available, said Officer Phil Russell, a spokesman for Louisville Metro Police. The incident happened Sunday as the girl visited a friend in the 10000 block of National Turnpike. The dog began biting the girl inside the house then chased her outside. A passer-by stopped to help the girl, Russell said. The man shot and killed the dog, he said. Jackie Gulbe, a spokeswoman for Metro Animal Services, said the owner of the dog was cited for having a dangerous dog and not having the dog properly restrained. Normally, someone cited for having a dangerous dog would be required to register the pet as such, which costs $500 each year in licensing fees. Gulbe said that the city will pursue the owner in criminal court since the dog is dead."


Democratic Party takes aim at gun rights: "The draft 2008 Democratic platform promises to reinstate the assault weapons ban, even though it did absolutely nothing to reduce violent crime. Sixty-seven Democratic congresspersons sponsor H.R. 1022, Assault Weapons Ban, that gives our attorney general the authority to ban any semiautomatic rifle or shotgun that has been used by the military or federal law enforcement agency. That includes such popular firearms as the Remington model 1100 shotgun, perhaps 4 million in use. That's the Democratic Party position, but what about its major candidate? Barack Obama was a director of the Joyce Foundation, the primary benefactor of the Violence Policy Center whose goal is to ban handguns and assault weapons like the "deadly" Remington model 1100, (sarcasm intended). Until Obama promises to veto every bill like H.R. 1022 that infringes upon the natural, inherent, inalienable right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for self-defense, he remains a powerful threat to me and my friends who fight for all rights enumerated and un-enumerated that are protected by our Constitution."