Florida criminal charge
Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited in Florida
Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 790.31. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 790.31.
What is the penalty for armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or delivery of prohibited ammunition — Applies to any person who manufactures, sells, offers for sale, or delivers any armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or delivery of prohibited ammunition — Applies to any person who manufactures, sells, offers for sale, or delivers any armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Possession of prohibited ammunition loaded in a firearm with knowledge — Applies to any person who knowingly possesses an armor-piercing or exploding bullet loaded in a handgun, or a dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell loaded in a firearm, with knowledge of its capabilities.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Possession of prohibited ammunition loaded in a firearm with knowledge — Applies to any person who knowingly possesses an armor-piercing or exploding bullet loaded in a handgun, or a dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell loaded in a firearm, with knowledge of its capabilities.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Possession with intent to use in commission of a criminal act — Applies to any person who possesses an armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell with intent to use it to assist in the commission of a criminal act.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Possession with intent to use in commission of a criminal act — Applies to any person who possesses an armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell with intent to use it to assist in the commission of a criminal act.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or delivery of prohibited ammunition | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies to any person who manufactures, sells, offers for sale, or delivers any armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell. | Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(a) |
| Possession of prohibited ammunition loaded in a firearm with knowledge | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies to any person who knowingly possesses an armor-piercing or exploding bullet loaded in a handgun, or a dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell loaded in a firearm, with knowledge of its capabilities. | Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(b) |
| Possession with intent to use in commission of a criminal act | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies to any person who possesses an armor-piercing bullet, exploding bullet, dragon's breath shotgun shell, bolo shell, or flechette shell with intent to use it to assist in the commission of a criminal act. | Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(c) |
Common questions about armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited in Florida
Is armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 790.31.
Manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or delivery of prohibited ammunition: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(a)) · Possession of prohibited ammunition loaded in a firearm with knowledge: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(b)) · Possession with intent to use in commission of a criminal act: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 790.31(2)(c))
What are the penalties for armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited in Florida?
Penalties for armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the Second Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited?
Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited is governed by Fla. Stat. § 790.31 (Armor-piercing or exploding ammunition or dragon’s breath shotgun shells, bolo shells, or flechette shells prohibited).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.