US 20130263754A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0263754 A1 Neme (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 10, 2013

(54) AMMUNITION ROUNDS FOR OBSERVANCE (52) U.S. Cl. OFRELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND AMETHOD CPC. F42B 7046 (2013.01); F42B 7/10 (2013.01); OF HUNTING F42B 12/02 (2013.01) USPC ...... 102/439; 102/517 (71) Applicant: Richard Neme, Clinton TWP, MI (US) (57) ABSTRACT (72) Inventor: Richard Neme, Clinton TWP, MI (US) An ammunition round and method of hunting is provided that (21) Appl. No.: 13/779,824 allows a hunter of the Muslim faith to hunt with a firearm and ensure the flesh of the hunted animal is halal. The ammunition (22) Filed: Feb. 28, 2013 rounds include a shotgun pellet, shotgun slug, handgun round, and rifle round having sharpened edges designed into Related U.S. Application Data their body structure to induce a cutting or slicing operation (60) Provisional application No. 61/605,592, filed on Mar. upon impact with a game animal. The shotgun pellets com 1, 2012. prise raised cutting Surfaces or a defined bi-pyramidal shape having cutting edges and intersection thereon. The shotgun Publication Classification slug, handgun round, and rifle round of the present invention comprise leading ends having cutting Surfaces forming sharp (51) Int. C. ened edges. These cutting Surfaces include a plurality of F42B 7/4 (2006.01) sharpened extension members extending from the round F42B (2/02 (2006.01) leading end, or different Surface geometries to create a cutting F42B 7/10 (2006.01) interface upon contact with a target animal.

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FIG. 5 Patent Application Publication Oct. 10, 2013 Sheet 5 of 7 US 2013/0263754 A1

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FIG. 8

US 2013/0263754 A1 Oct. 10, 2013

AMMUNITION ROUNDS FOR OBSERVANCE round that provides a leading edge design that ensures a OFRELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND AMETHOD cutting action when impacting a game animal. Several OF HUNTING embodiments are disclosed, including a handgun bullet round, a rifle round, a shotgun slug round, and finally a CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED shotgun pellet round. Each of these embodiments includes a APPLICATION sharpened edge or cutting Surface that ensures the impact is not a blunt impact, but a slicing, cutting impact that kills the 0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi game animal in accordance with the Islamic faith. Associated sional Application No. 61/605,592 filed on Mar. 1, 2012, with the individual ammunition rounds, a method of hunting entitled “Halal Load.” The above identified patent application using ammunition rounds having cutting Surfaces is disclosed is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide for the purposes of game hunting and slaughtering animals continuity of disclosure. using a firearm. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0008 2. Description of the Prior Art 0009. Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that 0002 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION relate to ammunition rounds and projectiles for hunting or 0003. The present invention relates to firearm ammunition shooting. These include devices that have been patented and for use in hunting and slaughtering. The present invention published in patent application publications, and generally further relates to religious methods of animal hunting and relate to weapons of war or ammunition having a design that slaughter. Specifically, the present invention pertains to an improves accuracy, range, killing power, or other quality that article of ammunition having a projectile with several cutting is valued in hunting or combat. The present invention is a new Surfaces thereon, whereby the ammunition projectile contacts and novel ammunition round that is directed to the Islamic a hunted animal with a cutting action rather than a with blunt faith and the ability to properly slaughter a game animal using impact to observe the religious principles of Islamic Law, a firearm without causing excess pain, reduced effectiveness whereafter the meat of the animal may be lawfully consumed. of the firearm, or a risk of not following the Islamic faith. The 0004 For those game hunters of the Muslim faith, it can be following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the difficult to observe the religious laws of their faith while present disclosure, which are herein described for the pur Successfully engaging and hunting a prey animal. Traditional poses of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of Islamic slaughter requires that an animal be killed or slaugh the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks tered with a cutting action or piercing blow, whereafter the existing in the prior art. meat is considered “halal' and is permissible to be consumed. (0010 Specifically, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,996.923 and 4,935, Most Muslim hunters observe this rule by hunting only with 177 to Theising discloses a shotgun ammunition round hav a bow and arrow, ensuring that the animal is struck with the ing a plurality of elongated needle-like projectiles known as spear-end of the arrow such that the arrow enters the animal flechettes therein. The flechettes are supported within a with its sharp end and causes a cutting action rather than a matrix with their pointed ends extending from the matrix. The blunt impact. matrix and flechettes are placed within a shell casing. In use, 0005 For those that wish to hunt with rifles and other the flechettes are supported by the matrix such that they do not firearms, the ability to ensure that the hunted animal flesh is yaw as they leave the shell of the ammunition. The pointed indeedhalal is difficult, as the speed of the ammunition round ends of the flechettes provide a piercing object that can be and its design makes it nearly impossible to determine if the used for hunting, but does not provide a cutting motion or bullet impacted the animal as prescribed by the Islamic faith. object that would inflict a cutting motion onto a target animal Of greater concern is that most ammunition rounds for hunt while hunting. The present invention, by contrast, is a shotgun ing rifles and handguns include a blunt tip design that would shell having a slug or plurality of pellets that each having otherwise not establish the required cutting action upon cutting Surfaces thereon. When contacting a target animal, the impact with the animal as prescribed to make the hunted wounds inflicted are a result of the cutting Surfaces. animal halal. (0011. Similar to the Theising devices, U.S. Pat. No. 3,599, 0006 An option for some hunters is first wounding the 568 to Shellnutt discloses an ammunition cartridge having a animal by way of the firearm, and then properly slaughtering casing, propellant, ignition means, and a plurality of elon the animal thereafter under the principles of Islamic Law. gated projectiles arranged substantially longitudinally within However, this can be difficult to accomplish successfully. The the casing. The projectiles comprise a pointed end and a animal may be wounded and escape the area before being plurality of fins along an opposite end to increase their sta corralled, or the animal may die before being found by the bility during flight, in a similar design as an arrow. The Shell hunter and properly slaughtered. Both of these scenarios nutt device, while disclosing a new and novel shotgun shell, make it impossible for the hunter to observe his religious fails to disclose a means of killing or slaughtering an animal beliefs and ensure a Successful hunt. The animal may also be that is aligned with principles of Islamic Law that would exposed to a prolonged period of Suffering before being allow for the food products to be considered Halal. The killed, which is not a desired aspect of the exercise. Further present invention avoids the use of pointed objects such as still, the infrequency of a game animal coming within range of bullets and arrows, and replaces the ammunition with a slug a hunter makes this exercise even less likely to be attractive to based or pellet-based round having blades thereon to provide a hunter. Therefore, an alternative remedy to this problem is a cutting motion when the ammunition contacts the target required. animal. 0007. The present invention offers a new ammunition 0012. The present invention provides a new ammunition round design that solves this known problem existing at the type and method of game animal hunting that allows indi intersection of game hunting and the Islamic faith. Specifi viduals of the Muslim faith to properly slaughter their prey cally, the present invention discloses a new ammunition animals without resorting to the use of bow and arrow hunting US 2013/0263754 A1 Oct. 10, 2013

tools. The present invention contemplates an ammunition 0021 FIG. 1 shows a view of an embodiment of the projectile round having cutting Surfaces thereon, whereby present shotgun pellet. contact with the prey animal establishes a cutting action 0022 FIG. 2 shows a view of another embodiment of the through the animal flesh. The goal is to provide a structure present shotgun pellet. that can be utilized with different firearm types for producing 0023 FIG. 3 shows a view of an embodiment of the halal food by way of hunting with a firearm. The disclosed present shotgun slug. method involves a member of the Muslim faith carrying out 0024 FIG. 4 shows a view of another embodiment of the the hunting activity in observance of his faith and using the present shotgun slug. disclosed ammunition projectiles to carry out the slaughter of 0025 FIG. 5 shows a view of another embodiment of the the prey animal. present shotgun slug. 0013 The present invention provides a cutting-action 0026 FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the handgun ammunition round, whereby the leading portion of the ammu bullet embodiment of the present invention. nition round or the circumference of the round is directed to a 0027 FIG. 7 shows a side cutaway view of the handgun cutting Surface rather than a blunt impact interface. The ani bullet embodiment of the present invention. mal is not impacted with blunt force, but rather is sliced upon 0028 FIG. 8 shows a frontal end view of the handgun impact in accordance with Islamic principles of halal slaugh bullet embodiment of the present invention. ter. It is submitted that the present invention is divergent in (0029 FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the rifle bullet design elements and intent from the prior art, and conse embodiment of the present invention. quently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improve 0030 FIG. 10 shows a close-up perspective view of the ment to existing means of slaughtering animals in accordance rifle bullet embodiment of the present invention. with halal where firearm slaughter is desired. In this regard 0031 FIG. 11 shows an end view of the rifle bullet the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. embodiment of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0014. In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in 0032 Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. the known types of ammunition projectiles now present in the Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to prior art, the present invention provides a new ammunition depict like or similar elements of the halal ammunition round. projectile and method of slaughtering game animals using For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of firearms, wherein the same can be utilized for providing con the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be dis Venience for the user when hunting and slaughtering animals cussed as used for hunting and slaughtering game animals in accordance with the teachings of Islamic faith. using an ammunition round that induces a cutting action upon 0015. It is therefore an object of the present invention to impact in observance of Islamic Law, whereby the slaugh provide a new and improved ammunition projectile and tered meat is thereafter halal. The figures are intended for method of slaughtering game animals within the require representative purposes only and should not be considered to ments of halal, wherein the device incorporate all of the be limiting in any respect. advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 0033 Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the 0016. It is another object of the present invention to pro shotgun pellet embodiment 11 of the present invention and its vide an ammunition projectile that includes cutting or slicing arrangement within a shotgun shell 20. The present invention Surfaces thereon Such that when the projectile impacts the contemplates a formed cutting Surface on the leading edge of animal it induces a cutting operation rather than blunt trauma. an ammunition round or around the perimeter of a shotgun 0017. Another object of the present invention is to provide pellet 11, wherein the cutting Surfaces establish a slicing a method of hunting or slaughtering that involves ammunition action into the prey animal rather than inducing blunt force rounds having cutting Surfaces thereon, wherein a hunter of impacts that would not otherwise be considered halal within the Muslim faith can hunt game animals and slaughter the the Islamic faith. When deployed in a shotgun shell 20, the animals in observation of their faith such that the meat is pellet 11 of the present invention is packaged in same fashion considered halal. as most standard shotgun shell pellets, wherein the shell 20 0018 Yet another object of the present invention is to comprises a shell case 22, a brass head 21, a lowermost rim provide ammunition projectiles fulfilling the requirements 23, a propellant gunpowder 25, a primer 24, a wad 26, and necessary for halal slaughter, wherein the ammunition Volume within the shell case within its forward section embodiments include slug and pellet shotgun round, a rifle enclosing a plurality of pellets 11 that may be stored therein round, and a handgun round. prior to being ejected by the ignited gunpowder 25 through 0019. Other objects, features and advantages of the the end 29 of the case 22. present invention will become apparent from the following 0034. The shot pellet 11 of FIG. 1 is one contemplated detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompa embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pellet 11 nying drawings. comprises a rounded body structure 12 forming a largely spherical shape. About the body 12 of the pellet is a plurality of cutting surfaces 13 that extend radially outward from the BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS body 12 to extend a cutting edge 14 from the pellet about the 0020. Although the characteristic features of this inven perimeter of each cutting Surface. In this embodiment, the tion will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the inven outer Surface of the pellet body 12 comprises upstanding tion itself and manner in which it may be made and used may cutting Surfaces 13, which may be designed as significantly be better understood after a review of the following descrip raised edges as shown, or shorter cutting planes that are tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings extensions of the body member 12. The orientation of the wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. cutting surfaces 13 and their pathway about the pellet 11 may US 2013/0263754 A1 Oct. 10, 2013 also vary by design, falling within the scope and intent of the corner 15 or a plurality thereof, whereby the angled surfaces present invention for inducing a cutting operation upon of the slug intersect one another and form the cutting inter impact. Standard shotgun shell pellets comprise a smooth faces required to properly slice the target animal upon impact. outer surface that would otherwise induce blunt impacts with The Surfaces are created using a milling operation, whereby a a target, making the meat shot thereby considered haraam, or mill cutting tool removes slug material at different angles to sinful to consume under Islamic law. create the intersecting Surfaces, edges, and corners thereon. 0035 Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a second 0039 Referring now to FIGS. 6through 8, there are shown embodiment of the shotgun pellet 11 of the present invention. views of the handgun round 40 of the present invention. In this In this embodiment, the pellet comprises a square bi-pyrami embodiment, a handgun or pistol round 40 is provided having dal body having a plurality of cutting edges 14 thereabout and a plurality of machined recesses 41 along the round leading several pointed corners 15 to slice and cut upon impact with edge. The recesses 41 are portions of the bullet structure that the target animal. This embodiment provides a more compact are removed, whereby the peripheral edges of each recess pellet shape that does not have extended cutting Surfaces that create sharpened edges 14 and the recesses converge along may otherwise disrupt the travel of the pellet through the air. the bullet leading edge to forming a sharpened tip 15. This The embodiment of FIG. 2 is loaded in the same fashion as the provides a cutting interface along the leading edge of the first embodiment, wherein the open volume of the shotgun bullet that slices through a target animal upon impact. As is case is filled with a plurality of the bi-pyramidal pellets and commonly found in handgun and pistol bullets, the round 40 deployed therefrom when being shot. The reduced cross sec is packaged within a shell case 22 and extends therefrom, tion and compact design of the bi-pyramidal shape reduces whereby a quantity of gunpowder 26 ejects the round 40 from pellet flutter, tumbling, and range issues that may otherwise the case 22 upon impact of a firing pin against the base 23 of accompany a flanged pellet design. Upon impact, the edges the shell case. The gunpowder 26 places significant pressure 14 and corner regions 15 cut into the target animal, preventing against the base 36 of the round 40 along its trailing end, blunt impacts that would otherwise cause the flesh to become causing the round to accelerate down the barrel of the pistol haraam. and out of the firearm towards its intended target. 0036 Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, there are shown 0040. In a preferred embodiment, three recesses 41 are views of the shotgun slug 30 embodiment of the present machined within the round 40 leading end, whereby each invention. In this embodiment, the pellets are replaced by a recess 41 originates at the forward most tip of the round and shotgun slug 30 having an enlarged body 31 that consumes extend radially outward. The recesses 41 are areas of removed the interior cavity of the shotgun case 22, as is commonly material that create sharp edges 14 and a pointed forward tip know in the art of shotgun slug rounds. The slug is deployed 15. It is contemplated that other designs may incorporate a in the same fashion as the shotgun pellet, wherein a shotgun different number of recesses 41 or pattern thereof. round 20 includes a shell case 22, a brass head 21, a lower 0041 Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 11, there are most rim 23, a propellant gunpowder, a primer, a wad 26, and shown views of the rifle round 50 of the present invention. Volume within the shell case within its forward section to Similar to the handgun round embodiment, the rifle round 50 house the shotgun slug 30 prior to being ejected by the ignited comprises a rifle bullet structure supported within a rifle case gunpowder through the forward end 29 of the case 22. The 22 and having a rounded, pointed body structure commonly ignited gunpowder forces the slug 30 through the barrel of a known in the art of rifle rounds. Along the round 50 leading shotgun by loading the slug rear face 36 along the trailing end end are a plurality of recesses 41 carved out of the round of the slug, driving the slug along the Smooth or rifled barrel. structure. As with the pistol embodiment, the rifle recesses 41 0037. The slug 30 comprises a standard shotgun slug establish cutting edges 14 and a sharpened point 15 to induce design having a sharpened leading end, whereby the initial cutting and piercing of the animal flesh upon contact there contact with the target animal induces a cutting or slicing with. The exact design and layout of the recesses 41 may take operation. In a first slug embodiment, the round comprises a several forms. FIGS.9 through 11 show a three-recess pattern plurality of sharpened blade members 33 extending from the extending radially outward from the sharpened tip 15, which slug body 31. The blade members 33 are include cutting is one such contemplated design that accomplishes the goal of Surfaces 14 and converge to a pointed tip 34 that induces providing a cutting or slicing ammunition round. penetration and slicing upon impact. Below the pointed tip 0042. Both the handgun and rifle round embodiment of the and along the leading end 32 of the slug body 31 may also present invention comprise an elongated and cylindrical body comprise a slug extension 35 that Supports the tip 34 upon portion tapering inwards along the bullet leading end. Rather impact and drives the blade members 33 into the animal flesh than terminating at a conical tip or at a blunt tip, the ammu as the round contacts the animal. Referring now to FIGS. 3 nition of the present invention offers cutting edges and a and 4, the quantity and arrangement of the blade members 33 sharpened tip that cuts through animal flesh rather than and their relation with the extension 35 may take on several impacting with blunt force. forms. The goal is to provide a forward cutting edge 14 and 0043. The leading end embodiments of the disclosed shot sharpened tip 34 to eliminate any blunt impacts with the gun slugs, the handgun round, and rifle round are adapted to animal. create a cutting Surface upon impact. It is contemplated and 0038 Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown yet another desired to allow for the interchangeability of these leading embodiment of the shotgun slug 30 of the present invention. end embodiments across the ammunition types. The type and This embodiment comprises a slug with a machined forward design of the cutting elements are equally effective when Surface. The Surface is cut to have several angled planes or presented as any of the ammunition types, including the shot Surfaces along the slug leading end 32 that intersect along gun slug, the pistol round, or the rifle round, independent of edges 14 and at pointed corners 15, whereby the edges 14 and the particularly design chosen for that round. Therefore, it is corners 15 establish cutting interfaces along the slug forward desired to disclose an embodiment of the handgun and rifle surface. The slug of FIG. 5 may provide at least one pointed round that include blade members extending from the leading US 2013/0263754 A1 Oct. 10, 2013

edge of the round, as is provided for the slug of FIGS. 3 and I claim: 4. Furthermore, it is desired to disclose a leading end of a rifle 1) An ammunition round for observance of religious or handgun round having the angled planes and sharpened beliefs, comprising: intersections as provided for the shotgun slug of FIG. 5. a shotgun pellet having a rounded body portion that is Finally, it is desired to disclose a shotgun round having a adapted to be supported in plurality within a shotgun plurality of recesses along its leading end, as provided in the case, rifle and handgun round embodiments of FIGS. 6 through 11. said shotgun pellet rounded body portion having at least Therefore, the leading ends of the shotgun slug, rifle round, one upstanding cutting Surface extending therefrom, and handgun round are thus interchangeable across ammuni said cutting Surface having a sharpened outer edge for tion types. inducing a cutting action upon impact with a target ani 0044 Associated with the structure of the present inven mal. tion is an accompanying method of hunting for those of the 2) The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstand Muslim faith. As noted, hunting and slaughtering of meat for ing cutting Surface comprises a first and second upstanding Muslims must be accordance with the rules of halal for a cutting Surface extending circumferentially about said pellet practicing Muslim to lawfully consume the meat thereafter. body portion and intersecting perpendicularly with one To allow for a hunter to utilize a firearm and ensure the hunted another. animal meat is halal, the following steps are disclosed. First, 3) The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one upstand a firearm type is chosen that is appropriate for the hunting ing cutting Surface comprises a first an upstanding cutting activity. Then the appropriate ammunition round is selected, surface extending circumferentially about said pellet body whereby the ammunition round comprises a cutting Surface portion. leading edge or a body structure having cutting Surfaces 4) An ammunition round for observance of religious thereon. The hunter fires the ammunition round at a target beliefs, comprising: animal, whereafter the round impacts the animal with its a shotgun pellet having a bi-pyramidal body portion that is cutting Surfaces to piece and slice the animal flesh in accor adapted to be supported in plurality within a shotgun dance with traditional Islamic slaughter. case, 0045. When Muslims hunt animals they are required by said bi-pyramidal body portion having a plurality of cutting their faith to do so by using a cutting action. Most hunting is edges and corners for inducing a cutting action upon therefore conducted by bow and arrow, whereby the blade of impact with a target animal. the arrow fulfills this requirement. This leaves out hunters 5) An ammunition round for observance of religious who prefer to use firearms, as the firearms used to hunt utilize beliefs, comprising: a “blunt', non-cutting projectile to kill the animals. If the an ammunition projectile having an elongated and cylin animal is not hunted correctly, then it cannot be considered drical body portion, a leading end, and a trailing end; “Halal, or lawful to eat. said projectile leading end further comprising a plurality of 0046. The present invention describes a specially cutting edges and at least one pointed tip for inducing a designed shotgun, handgun, and rifle load that can create a cutting action upon impact with a target animal. cutting action when it impacts the flesh of an animal. The 6) The device of claim 5, wherein said leading end cutting rounds comprise a tip fashioned to provide a plurality of edges further comprise: cutting Surfaces or blade edges. Such projectiles cause the a plurality of upstanding blade members extending from animal being hunted to be cut on impact, making the animal said leading end, said blade members having a sharp religiously lawful to consume. The present invention allows ened edge; hunters of Islamic faith (or any faith in which meat must be said plurality of blade members converging to a central "slaughtered') to hunt and render game lawful for consump pointed tip. tion. 7) The device of claim 5, wherein said leading end cutting 0047. It is submitted that the instant invention has been edges further comprise: shown and described in what is considered to be the most a plurality of intersecting Surface planes machined into practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, how said forward surface, whereby said surface plane inter ever, that departures may be made within the scope of the sections are sharpened edges; invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a per son skilled in the art. With respect to the above description said Surface intersections establishing at least one pointed then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional rela tip along said forward Surface. tionships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in 8) The device of claim 5, wherein: size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of opera said body portion a tapers inwards along said body portion tion, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and leading end; obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relation a plurality of recesses in said tapering leading end; ships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the said recesses each comprising removed material forming a specification are intended to be encompassed by the present perimeter edge; invention. said plurality of recesses converging at least leading end to 0048. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative form a sharpened tip. only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numer 9) The device of claim 5, wherein said ammunition projec ous modifications and changes will readily occur to those tile comprises a shotgun slug ammunition round. skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the 10) The device of claim 5, wherein said bullet comprises a exact construction and operation shown and described, and handgun ammunition round. accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 11) The device of claim 5, wherein said bullet comprises a be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. rifle ammunition round. US 2013/0263754 A1 Oct. 10, 2013

12) A method of hunting in observance of religious beliefs, comprising the steps of choosing a firearm appropriate for hunting a game animal; Selecting ammunition rounds appropriate for said firearm having cutting Surfaces thereon for inducing a cutting action upon impact with said game animal; loading said firearm with said cutting Surface ammunition; firing said cutting Surface ammunition; ensuring said game animal was killed by said ammunition cutting Surfaces. k k k k k