Are Armor-Piercing Bullets Illegal?

Armor-piercing rounds are the stuff of action movies, military documentaries, and a lot of internet debates. But what are they really? Are they illegal? And most importantly, can they be stopped?

Not every bullet with a cool-sounding name is actually “armor-piercing” in the technical sense. You could take a .44 magnum "armor-piercing" round and shoot at certain kinds of armor with little to no effect. In reality, when people think “armor-piercing,” they imagine a bullet capable of shredding through bulletproof vests like butter. But scientifically speaking, an armor-piercing (AP) round is designed to penetrate hard armor—think steel, ceramic, or other tough materials—typically used in military applications.

Armor-piercing bullets are made from harder-than-usual materials, like steel or tungsten, and often include a special core to punch through heavy-duty barriers. Standard bullets, by comparison, are typically lead-based and just don’t have the same bite when it comes to hard armor. AP bullets are the overachievers of the ammunition world, engineered specifically to defeat advanced protection.

Now, let’s cut to the legal stuff: are armor-piercing bullets illegal? In the U.S., they’re a bit of a legal gray area. For civilians, manufacturing, importing, or selling handgun AP rounds is a no-go, according to federal law, specifically the Gun Control Act of 1968. However, AP ammo for rifles is not outright banned, which is why it’s still floating around. That said, don’t assume you can walk into your local sporting goods store and grab a box—it’s heavily regulated and not easy to come by. Selling AP ammo may require special licensing, as the ammunition could fall under stricter scrutiny depending on its classification.

Not only that, but many states outright ban the sale of AP ammunition to civilians. Even if federal law allows it, state laws might not, so if you're not sure, check your own local laws.

What About Bulletproof Vests?

Now that we’ve established what AP rounds are, let’s talk about what’s standing between you and them: bulletproof vests. First, the term “bulletproof” is a bit of a misnomer—no vest is invincible. Different vests are designed to stop different kinds of bullets, and this is where protection levels come in.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sets the standards for body armor, breaking it down into levels:

• Level II and IIIA: These are soft varieties of armor designed for concealed carrying and light patrol work. They are capable of stopping handgun rounds like 9mm or .44 Magnum, making them great for cops and security guards dealing with small arms.

• Level III: Stepping it up, these vests can handle rifle rounds like the 7.62mmx39 of AK-47 fame or the much larger 7.62x51mm NATO fired by the M14. But even these will struggle against armor-piercing rounds.

• Level IV: This is the king of the hill. Level IV armor is specifically designed to stop armor-piercing rifle rounds, including the notorious .30-06 AP round.

How Do Level IV Plates Handle AP Rounds?

BulletSafe’s Level IV plates are made from high-grade ceramic and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene—materials that are ridiculously good at absorbing energy. When an armor-piercing round hits, the ceramic cracks and disperses the bullet’s energy across the plate, rather than letting it channel straight through. Meanwhile, the polyethylene layer catches what’s left, trapping the fragments. It’s like a tag team of defense working to keep you safe.

The .30-06 AP round is no joke. It’s a full-size round designed to punch through lightly armored vehicles with the force of about 4,000 joules, which is like getting punched by Mike Tyson... in his prime... eight times at once. But Level IV armor shrugs it off, leaving you standing strong. If you’re in a situation where AP threats are on the table, Level IV plates are your best bet to stay in one piece.

So, are armor-piercing bullets illegal? It depends. While AP handgun ammo is banned nationwide for civilians, AP rifle ammo is not outright illegal. However, it’s incredibly hard to find and often restricted by state laws. The good news? BulletSafe has you covered. Literally.

When it comes to protection, you don’t want to skimp. A Level IV plate is the difference between “Oh, that was close” and… well, let’s not think about the alternative. So gear up, stay safe, and let BulletSafe handle the heavy lifting. Because while armor-piercing bullets may be tough, your protection can be tougher.

To shop BulletSafe Level IV plates, click here.