Authored by Mike McDaniel via American Thinker,
It is both amusing and concerning for those who value and uphold the Bill of Rights to witness the actions of anti-liberty/gun activists. This includes not only members of anti-gun organizations who frequently spread inaccurate information and falsehoods, but also the Democrat/socialist/communist (D/s/c) media who often lack understanding of firearms, ballistics, and related subjects. Nevertheless, they continue to mislead the public on these matters.
Each year, I update an article on my blog that highlights this issue. Years ago, a reporter named Gersh Kuntzman wrote about the terrifying experience of firing the .223 caliber AR-15, known for its mild recoil and superior ergonomics and accuracy. Kuntzman’s portrayal of the AR-15 was so exaggerated that he became a national joke, and even anti-liberty/gun activists distanced themselves from him.
Now, the New Jersey legislature has followed in Kuntzman’s footsteps by banning—wait for it—hollow point self-defense ammunition.
The Gun Owners of America (GOA), Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), and the Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners, along with plaintiff Heidi Bergmann-Schoch, filed a lawsuit on February 5 challenging New Jersey’s unconstitutional ban on purpose-made self-defense ammunition. Bergmann-Schoch v. Platkin, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, argues that the state’s restrictions violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments by depriving law-abiding citizens of the most effective forms of self-defense ammunition.
“Despite being widely used by law enforcement and civilians across the country for personal protection, New Jersey’s draconian laws prohibit the possession of commonly used hollow-point ammunition outside the home, leaving residents to carry substandard full metal jacket ammunition instead,” GOA said in a press release announcing the action. “The plaintiffs argue that there is no historical precedent for such a ban and cite Heller and Bruen as key Supreme Court decisions affirming their constitutional rights.”
This ban is another attempt by a blue state to undermine Americans’ Second Amendment rights through frivolous lawsuits that they know will take years to reach the Supreme Court. In the meantime, they can harass, bankrupt, or even imprison law-abiding citizens, all while hoping to gain political power and potentially influence the Supreme Court. Despite the decisions in Heller, McDonald, and Bruen, blue states act as if those rulings do not apply to them.
The irony is that they have banned the most secure and effective form of ammunition.
The images show four common 9mm handgun cartridges, with three being hollow points and one being fully metal jacketed (FMJ). Each bullet weighs 115 grains. The leftmost cartridge is a Hornady Critical Defense load designed to expand upon impact, maximizing its effectiveness.
Hollow point ammunition functions by expanding upon hitting a target, slowing down the bullet, and expending all its energy within the target to prevent over-penetration. Contrary to Hollywood depictions, handgun ammunition is not as powerful, and criminals have been known to survive multiple shots. This is why law enforcement agencies use hollow point ammunition.
FMJ bullets do not expand and tend to over-penetrate, posing a higher risk of ricochet. This makes hollow point ammunition a safer and more effective choice for self-defense.
It is crucial to understand that the use of deadly force is regulated universally: one should aim to stop an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death, not necessarily to kill. Hollow point ammunition aligns with this principle and remains the best choice for self-defense.
Despite the effectiveness of hollow point ammunition, some individuals continue to support its ban for political reasons, disregarding the safety of law-abiding citizens.
Their ignorance can have deadly consequences for innocent individuals.
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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, musician, fencer, athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer, and English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. Visit his blog, Stately McDaniel Manor.
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