Page 1 of 4

Hollow Point Amunition

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:43 pm
by Tommy B
An aquaintance of mine had his vehicle robbed over the weekend in Humble, TX outside of Bed Bath & Beyond on 59.

The item taken was his backpack which contained his laptop and a Glock 23 that he carries (I believe he has a CHL but was not carrying on his person at the time).

Luckily the thiefs were pulled over and his items were recovered within minutes. What baffled me though was that when he went to claim his items at the police precinct, they confiscated his hollow point bullets and told him they were illegal to use for carry.

I don't ever recall being taught this and until now have not heard of this being an issue. I carry hollow point rounds in my Glock 17 and am concerned that I may not be following the law.

Can anyone set me straight on this? I tried searching the forum before posting but didn't see any answers to this particular question.

Thanks!

Re: Hollow Point Amunition

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:46 pm
by Xander
They're illegal in New Jersey. Not anywhere else that I know of, and *certainly* not in Texas.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:53 pm
by seamusTX
The only form of ammunition that is illegal in Texas is "armor-piercing ammunition" (PC §46.05). Nothing you can buy in a store is illegal to carry.

- Jim

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:07 pm
by txinvestigator
It may be policy to destroy or not return ammo, I don't know. It sounds like someone who can't explain policy just made something up.

HP ammo is not illegal in Texas. He should go back and nicely ask to see or be referenced to said law, as he wants to be sure to comply. However, I would be asking in the Chief's office.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:13 pm
by HankB
Sounds like some cop had an "Oh, gee, I can use these" moment.

I'd go back to the police station (or is the department big enought to have an IA office?) and file a formal complaint against the officer for theft. Nothing may come of it, but if enough of these accumulate in his jacket, it they may eventually come back and bite him.

Few things bother me more than crooked LEOs. (And the LEOs I know would agree.)

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:54 pm
by Humanphibian
seamusTX wrote:The only form of ammunition that is illegal in Texas is "armor-piercing ammunition" (PC §46.05). Nothing you can buy in a store is illegal to carry.

- Jim
Quick FYI....This applies to handgun ammunition only... see definitions for entire sub-section in: PC §46.01

M855 (for example) is perfectly legal to own in TX.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:26 pm
by txinvestigator
HankB wrote:Sounds like some cop had an "Oh, gee, I can use these" moment.

I'd go back to the police station (or is the department big enought to have an IA office?) and file a formal complaint against the officer for theft. Nothing may come of it, but if enough of these accumulate in his jacket, it they may eventually come back and bite him.

Few things bother me more than crooked LEOs. (And the LEOs I know would agree.)
Its quite a jump to assume he stole them. :roll: And the LEOs I know would agree.

Few things bother me more than people who jump to conclusions.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:49 pm
by seamusTX
txinvestigator wrote:Its quite a jump to assume he stole them.
I agree. It may be department policy.

But do you agree that, if this account is accurate, a citizen was dispossessed of his property for no legitimate reason?

- Jim

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:05 pm
by txinvestigator
seamusTX wrote:
txinvestigator wrote:Its quite a jump to assume he stole them.
I agree. It may be department policy.

But do you agree that, if this account is accurate, a citizen was dispossessed of his property for no legitimate reason?

- Jim
Someone has been reading specific statutes (dispossesed). lol

To answer your question; probably. Since there was nothing illegal about the bullets I can't see why they were not returned. That is why I suggested a visit to the Chief's office. ;)

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:16 pm
by seamusTX
Thanks.

- Jim

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:57 pm
by solaritx
where did this happen?

Garry N

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:59 pm
by txinvestigator
solaritx wrote:where did this happen?

Garry N
TommyB wrote:An aquaintance of mine had his vehicle robbed over the weekend in Humble, TX outside of Bed Bath & Beyond on 59.
:cool: :grin:

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:48 pm
by ricor
I would let it go. A box of hollow points 20-30 bucks. It's not worth the trouble, choose your battles wisely. Rico

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:04 pm
by McKnife
File a theft report with their department and provide the officer's name as the thief.

That's what I'd do.