Why The US Military Wants To BAN 9mm Ammo!

Published on August 11, 2025
Duration: 10:34

The US military is reportedly considering a caliber change for its sidearms due to the perceived ineffectiveness of 9mm ball ammunition on the battlefield, particularly against body armor and in close-quarters combat. This internal discussion stems from historical issues and the limitations imposed by the Hague Conventions, which mandate the use of full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition, rendering hollow-point rounds illegal for military use. A potential switch could significantly impact civilian 9mm ammunition availability, as a large portion is produced by the US Army's Lake City plant for civilian sale.

Quick Summary

The US military is reportedly considering a caliber change for its sidearms due to concerns about the battlefield effectiveness of 9mm ammunition, especially when restricted to full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds by the Hague Conventions. This potential shift could significantly impact civilian 9mm ammunition availability, as a large portion is produced by the US Army's Lake City plant.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Internal Military Communications on 9mm
  2. 00:16History of US Military Sidearm Caliber Changes
  3. 00:33Effectiveness Concerns with 9mm on the Battlefield
  4. 01:17FBI's Caliber Switch: .40 S&W to 9mm
  5. 01:42Miami Shootout and Handgun Effectiveness
  6. 02:22Hague Conventions and Ammunition Restrictions
  7. 02:41Limitations of Ball Ammunition
  8. 03:08Challenges in Close Quarters Combat
  9. 03:44Current Internal Conversation on Caliber Switch
  10. 04:03Impact on Civilian Ammunition Market
  11. 04:16Lake City Ammunition Plant's Role
  12. 05:03Civilian Handgun Caliber Popularity
  13. 05:26Potential Detriment to Civilian Ammo Industry
  14. 05:31Instructor's Perspective on Military Sidearms
  15. 06:12Quality of Military Sidearm Ammunition
  16. 07:13Detrimental Switch for Civilian Ammo
  17. 07:18Potential Caliber Alternatives (.40 S&W)
  18. 07:31Ideal Military Sidearm (7.5 FK)
  19. 07:46Possibility and Uncertainty of a Switch
  20. 08:00Historical Precedents for Military Caliber Changes
  21. 08:16Call to Action: Subscribe and Engage
  22. 08:28Channel's Focus on Prayer Requests
  23. 08:55Concluding Prayer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the US military considering banning 9mm ammunition?

The US military is reportedly considering a change from 9mm due to concerns about its effectiveness on the battlefield, particularly when restricted to full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition by the Hague Conventions. Ball ammunition is seen as less effective at incapacitating targets compared to specialized rounds available to civilians.

What are the legal restrictions on military ammunition?

The Hague Conventions prohibit the use of expanding or fragmenting ammunition, such as hollow-point rounds, by military forces. This means soldiers are typically restricted to using full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition for their sidearms, which has different terminal ballistics than self-defense rounds.

How would a US military switch from 9mm affect civilian ammo availability?

A significant portion of civilian 9mm ammunition is produced by the US Army's Lake City Ammunition Plant. If the military switches calibers, production of 9mm for civilian sale at this plant would likely cease, potentially reducing the overall civilian 9mm ammo supply by 30-40%.

What is the historical context of US military sidearm caliber changes?

The US military has a history of changing its standard sidearm caliber, notably switching from .45 ACP (M1911) to 9mm (Beretta 92FS) in the 1980s. There have been ongoing internal discussions about the effectiveness of 9mm since that transition.

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