Part 6: Firearms and pyrotechnic articles Section 129: Controls on ammunition which expands on impact
Section 5 of the 1968 Act provides that the possession, purchase or acquisition, sale or transfer, without authority8 of "ammunition which incorporates a missile designed or adapted to expand on impact" is an offence. The legislation does make provision for certain circumstances where expanding ammunition can be held but this requires police to then issue a certificate with additional conditions.
	This section amends the existing arrangements for the possession, purchase or acquisition or, sale or transfer of "expanding ammunition" in respect of rifles. Expanding ammunition designed to be used with a pistol or revolver remains prohibited. This is in order to maintain compliance with the Weapons Direction (91/477 EEC).
	Subsection (2) amends section 5(1A)(f) of the 1968 Act (weapons subject to general prohibition) by restricting the prohibition of expanding ammunition to pistols.
	Subsection (3) amends section 5A(8)(a) of the 1968 Act (exemptions from requirement of authority under section 5) to provide that any references to expanding ammunition are references to ammunition designed to be used with pistols.
	In consequence of the amendment made at subsection (2), subsection (4) omits section 9 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 which is the general prohibition of expanding ammunition.