Shouldn't we be allowed to use this new ammo?

Question

I know that either the Geneva Convention or the Hague convention says it's illegal to use anything but FMJ ammunition, but given the effectiveness of this new blended metal ammo, shouldn't the law be changed to allow it? Ammunition that can kill quickly and efficiently, even when it strikes an extremity, might be more humane than ammo that has a greater potential to "merely" wound and maim someone for life. It also means a soldier doesn't have to hit someone 5 or 6 times to bring them down, which decreases the danger to the soldier.

Blended Metal info,
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-2...

A couple things, boker magnum. The current standard issue 5.56mm ammo is the M855, not the M193. Second, You seem to imply that we shouldn't field this round purely for reasons of cost. As a soldier who has seen action in Iraq, I can't get behind that logic. Sorry about the link, you'll probably just have to search for info.

My link doesn't work, so here's what I know about it. This ammo is a 5.56mm FMJ round, but it's manufactured differently than normal FMJ rounds. It will go through hard barriers, (body armor, thin plate armor, bricks, cinder blocks, etc.), but when it hits soft tissue, it instantly and explosively fragments. The current issue M855 round fragments, too, but not consistently, and only after penetrating a certain amount of tissue. So why should a round that instantly and consistently fragments be illegal?

Normal1, you are assuming the enemy cares about their wounded. many of them don't.

And a wounded man can still fire a weapon.

Answer 1

I can understand your wanting to explore "humane" bullets, but the reasons for FMJ far exceed your examples, the cost of FMJ's is MUCH less than say, JHPBT's or JHP's. Considering the average troop in a war situation rarely "aims" his rifle, but more to the effect of spray and pray, it seems logical that the best ammo for the average grunt would be FMJ's, perhaps elite forces or snipers should use this new ammo( by the way, your link won't open) But in all reality, the normal M193 series of ammo will be used.(M193 is standard FMJ .223 ammo the military uses) Occasionally they are issued armor piercing rounds depending on the mission.If the military re-tools for different weapons(already in the works with the HKXM series) I would assume different types os ammo would be used as well, perhaps the bi-metal rounds will find a home.

Answer 2

Years ago,US Army,69-71,Vietnam69-70,I was told that hollow point ammo was outlawed. The 5.56 round was designed to work the same as a hollow point,thus getting around the Geneva Convention rules.They said the bullet was hollow on the back end,allowing it to open like a hollowpoint,but backwards.

Answer 3

Ammo that "merely wounds" as you say results in removing 3 people from the battlefield 1 wounded and 2 to carry him.

Answer 4

From the descriptions - it sounds like the ammunition would be illegal for any military to use.

Frangible ammunition is banned.

Answer 5

I'm waiting for them to operationalize the Metal Storm guns....then we'll see the cow eat the cabbage...

Answer 6

This is classified as a Dumm-Dumm Round,it expands on impact. More humane ?

Answer 7

WELL WHEN I WAS IN COMBAT WE WERE TOLD WE CANT ALTER OUR AMMO AS IT MIGHT INFLICT MORE INJURY,, GO FIGURE,, I MEAN YOU ARE SHOOTIN THE GUY ANYWAY