THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280438
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Two lawmakers said Tuesday they would try to ban new bullets that would maximize damage to human tissue and penetrate bulletproof vests.
In a report published in many newspapers Tuesday, The Associated Press disclosed plans by David Keen, a research chemist who hasn't made ammunition before, to develop the Rhino-Ammo and Black Rhino bullets.
``The beauty behind it is that it makes an incredible wound,'' Keen said. ``There's no way to stop the bleeding. I don't care where it hits. They're going down for good.''
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-N.Y., said he would propose legislation to ban Keen's bullets if federal regulators don't block them.
Moynihan said there was ``something sick'' about Keen's comments.
``That's no way to make money,'' Moynihan said in a telephone interview.
Moynihan sponsored a 1986 law that banned so-called ``cop killer'' armor-piercing bullets and introduced a measure that broadened the ban in this year's crime bill. Last year he also helped drive the Winchester ``Black Talon'' hollow-point expanding bullet off the market by proposing a 10,000 percent tax on them.
Rep. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who sponsored the federal crime bill with its expanded ban on metal-alloy armor-piercing bullets, said Tuesday he would also introduce new legislation to prohibit Keen's bullets.
``We're looking at preventing new technologies that will be more destructive,'' said Schumer spokesman Jim Kessler.
The National Rifle Association, a powerful lobby that supports the rights of gun-owners, was skeptical about Keen. The NRA's chief lobbyist, Tanya K. Metaksa, dismissed ``the dubious claims of a would-be manufacturer.''
Federal regulators said the bullets probably wouldn't be approved for at least another month - contrary to a number of reports that they could go on the market as early as next week. by CNB