WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) initiated a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, expressing opposition to the use of hollow point or “controlled expansion” bullets by agents in the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security.    

The Department is currently soliciting proposals for up to 225 million rounds of ammunition to be used during routine border patrols. The Congressman said that border patrol agents have no need to use such lethal ammunition.  

“We are trying to prevent the use of hollow point bullets because they are a highly lethal form of ammunition,” Baca said. “If you shoot a gun with this sort of bullet, you are shooting to kill.”  

Hollow point bullets are a type of ammunition designed to expand upon hitting a target. The impact forces the bullet to mushroom open, expanding to 160 percent its original size. This causes a large wound cavity and increases the likelihood of death.  

“The concern is that immigrants, including women and children, trying to come across our borders will be killed instantly by the bullets,” Baca said. “We want to protect our borders, but that does not mean that customs agents have a license to kill.” 

Although many police departments in major cities use hollow point bullets, their justifications do not apply at the border.  The New York City Police Department argues that using the bullet inside the city limit is necessary because it is less likely to ricochet injuring innocent bystanders.  

“Custom agents, have no reason to use this sort of bullet. They do not work in the city, around large groups of people, or buildings,” Baca said. “The likelihood of a bullet ricocheting is very slim. There simply is no reason to use the hollow points in that type of environment.” 

Joining Baca as cosigners on the letter are Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ0, Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Ed Pastor (D-AZ), and Jim McDermott (D-WA). A total of 9 members have joined Baca on the letter.