New super-bullet alarms police

Press, 15 January 1982, Page 6

New super-bullet alarms police

NZPA New York Police forces in the United States are alarmed at the developments of new bullets that will pierce armour when fired from a standard hand gun. The bullets are made in all calibre sizes and police were startled by a demonstration on television during which one was fired from a .357 magnum from seven metres through four bullet-resistant vests and five telephone directories. It was retrived with its shape hardly altered.

Despite restrictions to limit its distribution there is evidence that such ammuntion can be obtained by a determined individual. An F. 8.1. spokesman in New York conceded that the bullets would be of great value to the Provisional I.R.A. which acquires most of its weapons in the United States. ■.

Congressman Mario Biaggi of New York.- a former policeman, is - seeking a nationwide ban on the manufacture. sale and possession

of the builets and there are already moves to make them illegal’ in the states of New York and California. Mr Biaggi has a bill before the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives to commission a study to identify all such bullets Craig Floyd, an aide to Mr Biaggi. said: “You are supposed to be a law enforcement officer to buy these things, but there is no effective enforcement of that restriction. We have contacted law-enforcement departments all over the country and they say they have no’ use for them because they are so dangerous.”

The new design is sharply pointed. whereas most bullets have rounded heads. The new one has a Teflon coating that helps it to "slide" through objects. It has a high velocity and is made of solid metal in contrast to most hollow-nosed bullets used by police forces throughout the world.