‘Police in 8 U.S. states use dum dum bullets’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33676, 28 October 1974, Page 19

‘Police in 8 U.S. states use dum dum bullets’

IN.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) • BOSTON, i Police departments in at least eight Americart states are changing, without public knowledge. to the use of hollow-nosed bullets, the American Civil Liberties Union says. “In no case so far was the decision made after public scrutiny,” said the A.C.L.U. executive director (Mr Aryeh Neier). He said that the switches were made in a manner that was “at best, casual.” Soft-point bullets are designed to expand upon contact, leaving a large wound. They are banned in warfare by international law. “JUDGE AND JURY” “By the use of this ammunition. the police become judge, jury and prosecutor. There is no due process for a dead man,”

said the director of the Massachusetts chapter of A.C.L.U. (Mr John Roberts). Mr Neier said that a stillincomplete A.C.L.U. study shows that hollow-nose ammunition is being used by police departments in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Mr Roberts said that suits would be filed soon to prevent the use of such ammunition in Massachusetts. Legislation would be introduced to set state-wide standards on police ammunition. “MASSIVE WOUNDS” “We are not advocating that police be disarmed, but there is no evidence that police are seeking other means to stop criminals,” I said Miss Joan Tuttle of the I state chapter. “You’re i developing ammunition that ! will cause massive wounds ’and probably death.”

The A.C.L.U. study showed 20 per cent of the communi-

ties responding now use hollow-nosed bullets. Such ammunition was called “dum dum bullets” after being made by a town of that name in India. EXPLODE IN BODY Miss Tuttle said that the study, made by the Massachusetts research centre, noted that police could use larger bullets “which would remain intact and pass through the body.” She said that the hollow-point shells “literally explode” in the body, causing extensive damage. She said that the report shows other ammunition is available that could “knock down” any assailant. She said that many police departments had been reluctant or refused to provide information on the type of i ammunition used. “Some departments said they leave it up to their men. ’Others refused to respond at ’all,” she said.