Is the U.S. Army ‘Normalizing’ the Use of Hollow Point Ammo?
Russ Chastain 02.01.17
Okay, so by now we all know that the U.S. Army is ditching the Beretta in favor of the SIG P320, right? Well, they are. And although old-schoolers like me still say they should never have abandoned the 1911, even I have to admit that ship sailed long ago. And I like SIG pistols.
But according to one source, the pistol change isn’t even news–or at least, it isn’t the big news. SOFREP reports that in addition to swapping poppers, the USA is also authorizing hollow point ammo.
What’s that you say? “What about the Hague Convention of 1899, which banned the use of expanding bullets on the battlefield?”
Well, apparently that doesn’t apply.
The U.S.A. ratified the first three articles of the 1899 Hague Convention but never signed Article IV. Additionally, Article IV, Section 3 states that the prohibition on the use of hollow points applies only in a conflict between two signatories. Even if the U.S.A. had signed Article IV, the provisions wouldn’t apply to the United States unless fighting another signatory state.
In addition:
At the 1899 Hague Conference, the Martens Clause determined that non-uniformed insurgents were unlawful combatants subject to execution on capture. This means that according to Hague, the laws of warfare do not apply to guerrillas, pirates, and terrorists.
The Army has long reserved the right to use hollow points “where it saw a need.” Specified Army commands, Military Police, and Special Mission Units have been issued hollow points in the past.
With XM-17 pistol, the Army has quietly expanded use of hollow point ammunition to regular troops.
Hmmmm.You can read more here.
What do you think?
