California Penal Code §30315 — Armor Piercing Ammunition
PC §30315 makes it a straight felony to knowingly possess any handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor. Punishable by 16 months, 2, or 3 years in county jail under PC §1170(h). California defines 'armor-piercing ammunition' at PC §16660 by projectile composition and design — not merely by penetration effect. §30315 targets the projectile itself, not the firearm.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Armor Piercing Ammunition Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §30315 — Armor Piercing Ammunition at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §30315 — Possession of Armor-Piercing Ammunition |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Straight Felony |
| Prison Term | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail (§1170(h)) |
| Definition | PC §16660 — handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal/armor |
| Mens Rea | Knowledge of armor-piercing character required |
| Federal Parallel | 18 USC §922(a)(7)-(8) — manufacture/import ban; possession restrictions |
| Exemption | Peace officers acting within scope of duties (§30320) |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §30315?
What Is California Penal Code §30315?
PC §30315 Reads:
"Any person, firm, or corporation, who within this state knowingly possesses any handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year or in state prison, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment."
— California Penal Code §30315 (paraphrased)
PC §30315 targets a narrow but severe category of ammunition — handgun projectiles designed primarily to defeat body armor or metal. Common examples include KTW, THV, and certain Teflon-coated rounds, as well as tungsten-core, steel-core, or brass-core handgun rounds meeting the §16660 definition. Rifle ammunition, hollow points, and standard FMJ handgun rounds are NOT armor-piercing under California law.
§30315 vs. §16660 Definition
PC §16660 defines 'armor-piercing ammunition' as any ammunition, except a shotgun shell, designed primarily to penetrate a body vest or body shield. The definition is design-based, not effect-based. Not every round that CAN penetrate armor qualifies — only those DESIGNED primarily to do so. This distinction is the primary defense angle.
PC §30315 — State Armor-Piercing Ammunition
Knowing possession of handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal/armor. Straight felony — 16m/2/3.
18 USC §922(a)(7)-(8) — Federal Armor-Piercing
Federal manufacture/import ban on armor-piercing ammo, with narrower LEO possession exception. Possession by non-LEO restricted through supply chain.
Why the 'Designed Primarily' Element Drives Defense
The 'designed primarily' language in §16660 is the defense fulcrum. Manufacturer specifications, marketing materials, and design documents are the primary evidence. Ammunition designed for hunting large game (dangerous-game solids), tactical rifle rounds (which are NOT handgun ammunition), or target/match rounds fall outside §30315. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by challenging design-purpose classification and mens rea.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §30315
The prosecution must prove each of the following beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Possessed the Ammunition
Actual or constructive possession. Same possession analysis as §30305 (ammunition possession by prohibited person).
The Ammunition Qualifies as Armor-Piercing
The rounds must satisfy PC §16660 — handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal/armor. CA DOJ Bureau of Firearms analysis is standard.
Defendant Knew the Ammunition Was Armor-Piercing
§30315 is a knowing-possession offense. General ammunition possession is not enough — the defendant must have known the character of the specific rounds.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §30315 Armor Piercing Ammunition in California
§30315 is a straight felony — sentencing under PC §1170(h) means county jail (not state prison) but with felony consequences.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §30315 Base Offense | PC §30315 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Concurrent §30305 | PC §30305 | 16m/2/3 years — prohibited person + ammo | Available | No |
| Concurrent Firearm Charge | PC §25400 / §25850 | Up to 3 years | Available | No |
| Gang Enhancement | PC §186.22(b) | Adds 2, 3, or 4 years | Rare | Yes |
| Federal Referral | 18 USC §922(a)(7) | Up to 10 years federal | Rare | No |
Enhancements That Increase §30315 Exposure
Gang Predicate
PC §186.22(b)
Adds 2-4 years and converts to strike when gang-related.
Concurrent Firearm Offense
PC §25400 / §25850
Armor-piercing ammunition + firearm frequently charged together.
Prohibited Person Possession
PC §30305
Compounded with prohibited-person status — separate felony.
Multiple Rounds
PC §30315
Large quantities can support additional counts or aggravating-factor argument at sentencing.
Federal Referral
18 USC §922(a)(7)
USAO pickup possible for manufacture/import patterns — 10-year federal exposure.
Beyond the Sentence
- PC §29800 lifetime firearm prohibition on felony conviction
- Federal 18 USC §922(g)(1) lifetime prohibition
- Ammunition forfeiture
- Enhanced-scope firearms surrender under PC §29810
- Immigration deportability under 8 USC §1227(a)(2)(C)
- Loss of professional licenses (peace officer, security guard, FFL)
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §30315 Armor Piercing Ammunition Charges
§30315 defenses focus on ammunition classification, mens rea, and possession.
Not 'Designed Primarily' for Armor Penetration
Manufacturer specifications, marketing, and design documents show the round was designed for hunting, target, or general defensive use — not armor penetration. Expert ballistics testimony.
PC §16660
Rifle Ammunition — Not Handgun
§30315 covers handgun ammunition only. Rifle rounds (5.56, .308, etc.) fall outside the statute even if fired from an AR-pistol.
PC §16660
In re Jorge M. Mens Rea
Prosecution must prove knowledge of armor-piercing character. Mixed lots, inherited estates, and bulk purchases support no-knowledge defense.
In re Jorge M.
Constructive-Possession Defense
Shared vehicle, third-party ammunition, no knowledge of location. People v. Sifuentes controls.
People v. Sifuentes
Fourth Amendment Suppression
Overbroad warrant, warrantless search, Rodriguez prolongation. PC §1538.5 motion.
PC §1538.5
Peace-Officer Exemption
Sworn peace officers acting within scope of duties are exempt under PC §30320. Documentation and scope review.
PC §30320
Antique / Curio Classification
Certain historic or curio ammunition may fall outside modern definitions — expert classification review.
PC §16660
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §30315 Armor Piercing Ammunition Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§30315 cases follow the standard felony track with technical ammunition-classification litigation.
- 1
Step 1 — Search & Seizure
Cases arise from traffic stops, warrant searches, probation searches, and DOJ APPS enforcement.
- 2
Step 2 — DOJ Ballistics Classification
CA DOJ Bureau of Firearms analyzes projectile composition, jacket design, and manufacturer specifications.
- 3
Step 3 — Filing Decision
DA reviews §30315 classification and concurrent charges (§30305, §25400, §25850). Straight-felony filing is standard.
- 4
Step 4 — Arraignment
Bail typically $25,000-$100,000; higher with concurrent firearm charges.
- 5
Step 5 — Motion Practice
PC §1538.5 suppression, §995 dismissal on ammunition-classification defense, expert-witness challenges to DOJ specifications.
- 6
Step 6 — Resolution
Suppression dismissal, classification-defense dismissal, wobbler-reduction plea to §30305, or trial.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §30315 Armor Piercing Ammunition Cases
§30315 cases are prosecuted at LA County criminal courthouses.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Armor Piercing Ammunition Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with armor piercing ammunition and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §30315 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Armor Piercing Ammunition Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §30315 Armor Piercing Ammunition Questions — Los Angeles
What makes ammunition 'armor-piercing' under California law?
PC §16660 defines armor-piercing ammunition as any ammunition (except shotgun shells) designed PRIMARILY to penetrate a body vest or body shield. The test is design purpose, not penetration effect. Standard FMJ handgun rounds are NOT armor-piercing even if they can penetrate some armor.
Is rifle ammunition covered by §30315?
No. §30315 and §16660 specifically address HANDGUN ammunition. Rifle rounds (5.56 NATO, .308, 7.62, etc.) fall outside the statute — even standard rifle rounds can defeat most soft body armor by physics, but they are not 'handgun ammunition' for statutory purposes. Rifle ammunition regulation runs through §30305 (prohibited-person) and §30310 (school grounds) instead.
Are hollow-point rounds armor-piercing?
No. Hollow points are designed to expand on impact and are the OPPOSITE of armor-piercing — they typically fail against armor. Hollow points are unrestricted in California outside of the standard §30305/§30310 possession rules.
What about steel-core or tungsten-core handgun rounds?
These are the classic §30315 targets. Steel-core, tungsten-core, brass-core, and certain composite handgun rounds designed primarily for armor penetration fall squarely within §16660. Historical examples include KTW rounds and THV rounds. Modern examples are rare in commercial channels but appear in surplus and international imports.
Is there a peace-officer exemption?
Yes — PC §30320 exempts sworn peace officers acting within the scope of their duties. Off-duty possession or possession outside authorized scope loses the exemption. Retired peace officers do not automatically retain the exemption — check current statutory language.
Does federal law also ban armor-piercing ammunition?
Federal 18 USC §922(a)(7) bans manufacture and import of armor-piercing ammunition, with narrower categories than California. Federal 18 USC §921(a)(17) defines AP ammunition as projectiles constructed entirely of specified hard metals or full-jacket handgun projectiles with certain jacket weights. Federal possession is not blanket-banned but supply is heavily restricted.
Can §30315 be reduced to a misdemeanor?
§30315 is a straight felony with §1170(h) county-jail sentencing — no automatic wobbler reduction under PC §17(b). Post-conviction relief runs through §1203.4 expungement or PC §1170.18 Prop 47 (if applicable — typically not for firearms/ammunition offenses). Best path is dismissal or reduction to §30305 wobbler at plea negotiation.
What if I didn't know the ammunition was armor-piercing?
In re Jorge M. mens-rea principles apply — the prosecution must prove KNOWING possession. Mixed-lot ammunition, inherited estate rounds, bulk-purchased ammo with no distinguishing markings, and unopened commercial packaging support a no-knowledge defense. Careful discovery review of purchase records and packaging is essential.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged Under PC §30315 Armor-Piercing Ammunition Possession?
Ammunition classification, design-purpose analysis, and mens rea drive these cases. Straight-felony exposure. Call Rubin Law, P.C. — free consult (213) 723-2337.