NYC's Top Cop Looks To Ban Vest-Busting Gun



Story by wnbc.com

NEW YORK -- Police say a round fired from the handgun "five-seven" handgun can render an officer's vest ineffective -- yet the firearm and its ammo is sold legally to the public.

Read Scott Weinberger's Original Report Now its penetrating power has raised serious concerns with New York City's top cop. On Thursday, police Commissioner Raymond Kelly called for the model five-seven handgun to be taken off the market.

"This is a weapon of war," Kelly said. "It's not something that should be out on the streets of our city or our country."

"It should be banned and banned aggressively," he added.

Word of the five-seven's rifle-like power and accuracy first surfaced in a bulletin from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. NewsChannel 4's Scott Weinberger began to contact departments in the Tri-State area, and found that police in Trumbull, Conn. had seized a five-seven during an arrest.

PBA President Patrick Lynch said the union is also calling on legislators to step in.

"We are calling for legislation to be passed both federally and locally, banning this weapon so these weapons never come into our state and never get into the hands of the perps that we chase," Lynch said.

Lynch may get his wish. NewsChannel 4 was contacted by New Jersey senators Corzine & Lautenberg, both calling for an outright ban. Connecticut congressmen Christopher Shays sent a letter to the Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Bureau asking for a full investigation.

The ATF is likely to be receptive. Agents in the New York field office told NewsChannel 4 they had also received the bulletin from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and have sent out that alert to all of their field agents.