For Law Enforcement Only

[brufener]

Just read a post about police giving a civilian a rough time for having “Law Enforcement Only” ammo (I think the poster had seen the show “Highway Patrol”). I have heard of several companies that mark certain ammo and/or magazines “Law Enforcement Only.” As far as I know, there are no laws stating that civilians cannot have items marked “Law Enforcement Only.”

Does anyone know why companies mark their stuff that way? My only guess would be to avoid liability if a civilian used the item illegally or negligently.

Does anyone know of any laws that make it illegal for civilians to have items marked “Law Enforcement Only?”

If I marked a box of doughnuts “Law Enforcement Only,” would the police give me a rough time?

 

[Ala Dan]

On doughnuts proly, because they would figure you had posioned them~!

On ammo, I don't think any LEO from Alabama would care one way or the
other.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Does anyone know why companies mark their stuff that way?

Because gullible people look at it and say, "Oooh, this is law enforcement only, but I can buy it? It must be good!"

However, for about 10 years there, LE only certainly meant something regarding magazines.

 

[Jeff White]

The Winchester sales rep who sold us our duty ammo told me that they marked the +P+ ammo Law Enforcement Only and tried to restrict sales to police departments because they could be reasonably sure it would be used in modern weapons that would stand up to the pressures those rounds generated. Strictly liability. They were concerned that some person would buy some ammo loaded to pressures that exceeded SAAMI standards and put it into some pot metal pistol and blow himself up with it.

I know of no laws that prohibit possession of something marked law enforcement use only simply because it's marked that way.

Jeff

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

That's interesting to know Jeff, thanks! It certainly makes sense. I was wondering why the Ranger/Talon stuff was marked that way.
Some states still have 10rd limits on mags, etc. but I think all the LE marked mags are standard (high) capacity anyway. The EO Tech on my AR says LEO/Military only. I guess it might make some people feel more tacticool.

 

[Wes Janson]

Of course, that's assuming that the department is using modern sidearms that are being maintained properly...and we all know what they say about assuming ;P

 

[Sunray]

"...why companies mark their stuff that way?..." Marketing. It's in the same league as the term 'tactical'. It sells stuff.
"...a box of doughnuts...give me a rough time?..." Maybe after your arm gets sewn back on.

 

[BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE]

I have some mags marked Law Enforcment Only for my AR but they were all mags made in banned era and for sale now.

 

[thechamp]

GT distributors was selling LE ammo on the net

Don't know if they still are but the sales rep from GT Distributors was telling me last year they were making a killing sell black talons on the net. I think they were selling on Gun Broker but it may have been Auction Arms. Either way I did look it up and confirm it at the time. Boxes were marked LE only and were advertised on the net that way. GT's has an FFL so I'm sure they'd be in compliance with any regs. For those not familiar GTs has a store in Austin and another I believe in Alabama or Mississippi. Predominent market is LE and EMS/Fire folks.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

My AR says RESTRICTED Military/Government/Law Enforcement/Export use only. Oooooh.

 

[Logan5]

Anyone remember "Members Only" jackets? Sure, liability reasons are doubtless a component, but I think it's mainly the old product differentiation marketing strategy.

 

[orangeninja]

I think the LE Only tag is more than marketing, I think it is a liability move. If someone sells you something marked LE Only and you go on a shooting spree with it, it can be argued that the manufacturer acted in good faith and that the seller deviated from the product's purpose and therefore assumes liability.

Just a guess though.