The federal government is considering a ban on ammunition used in one of the most popular types of rifles because it says the bullets can pierce a police officer's protective vest when fired from a handgun.

Under the microscope of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are some types of 5.56 mm rounds or .223-caliber used in widely available and popular AR-15-style rifles because the bullets can also be used in some new types of handguns. Other types of 5.56 mm rounds would still be legal to buy, own and fire from guns.While the ban has been under consideration since 2011, some people posting on the Times News Facebook page feel it may have been a mistake to release the potential dangers of the ammunition."I think once again, they've just educated those who perhaps without this information wouldn't know what type of bullet can pierce a protective vest," said Tara Gilbert Cellini. "Those who have motives against police know what to stock up on now. They'll get it no matter if it's legal or not."Only "M855 green tip" or "SS109" rounds with certain types of metal cores would be banned, and those who already own the ammunition would be still be allowed to legally own it. Manufacturers, however, could no longer produce, sell, import or distribute it.If the bullet's core does not contain particular types of metal, including steel, iron or brass, it would still be legally available.Jeremy Glaush, chairman of the Carbon County Republican Committee, said "the executive branch overreach completely bypasses the Second Amendment.""This needs to be taken immediately to the Supreme Court and struck down," he said.House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte agreed in his objection to the rule change."It would "interfere with Second Amendment rights by disrupting the market for ammunition that law-abiding Americans use for sporting and other legitimate purposes," Goodlatte said.There is already a ban, in place since 1986, on armor-piercing handgun ammunition, but rifle bullets had been exempt because they were used for sporting purposes, such as target shooting.Members of the National Rifle Association have also spoken out against the change."The NRA and our tens of millions of supporters across the country will fight to stop President Obama's latest attack on our Second Amendment freedoms," said NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director Chris W. Cox.Carl Silverstein, of Palmerton, said the Obama administration has been silent on the statistics showing how many officers were killed by the bullets in question.Some residents don't feel a ban would do much good."It's the ones who don't have respect for law enforcement or government that these laws and bans are created for," said Amanda Everett. "They are the ones who own their guns illegally due to previous convictions, mental health. They are already not following the law by owning the weapon so what makes anyone think that imposing a ban is going to make a difference."ATF is accepting public comment about theproposed change untilMarch 16 at the email address

APAComments@atf.gov, by fax or postal mail. Officials said it's unclear when a final decision will be made.The Associated Presscontributed to this report.