Can Composite Materials and Plastics Really Help the Environment Frangible Bullets Could Make the World a Safer Pla | 页面 2

Frangible Bullets Could Make the World a Safer Place
Ecomass Technologies is a leading US manufacturer and supplier of lead-free polymer based
frangible projectiles for the military, law enforcement and civilian ammunition industries.
Frangible projectiles, also called soft rounds, are designed in a way that they break upon impact with hard
surfaces rather than ricocheting everywhere during close-quarter action. It presents a great, much-needed
change in the way bullets were made for centuries, and departs from the existing school of thought, both in
terms of personal protection and range shooting. Most important is that a frangible bullet is made using
copper jackets, a refreshing change from the lead bullets and all the
damage and lead poisoning they bring along with them.
Jason Villalba, a Texas State Representative, approached ballistic experts and members of the Texas
Commission on Law Enforcement to determine the type of ammo that would be best used as ammunition
which can be used by school marshals in active shooter situations.
Even though frangible ammunition is specifically designed to break upon impact with hard surfaces, experts
raised a concern that this type of bullet could easily surpass the body of the intended target or sheet rock
walls and endanger anyone in
the immediate vicinity.
Based on his discussion with experts, Villalba spoke about amending the legislation to state that school
marshals will not be allowed to carry the ammo unless it has been specifically been approved by TCOLE.
“There are multiple types of frangible ammunition... there are a number of different types of ammo that can
work and will work and are frangible,” says Villalba.
Certain experts including Ken Alexander and Buford Boone who worked with the FBI pointed out concerns
about the use of this type of ammo. After all, once a bullet is fired, there is always a chance that it pierces
drywall and causes unintended damage. Villalba argued that while no ammunition completely eliminates the
risk of collateral damage, frangible bullets are as close as one can get to minimizing the damage and stopping
the attacker.