NRA Versus EPA:

The Lead Ammo Debate Continues ...... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was recently issued a petition by environmentalists from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the American Bird Conservancy asking for the manufacturing and distribution of lead shots, bullets and fishing sinkers to be put to an end. With the millions of hunters and fishers across the nation in mind, the NRA has written to the EPA, urging them to oppose the ban on lead ammunition and sinkers. The CBD blames the lead used by hunters and anglers for causing the deaths of approximately 130 species of birds and eagles while the NRA claims these statistics are not true and cites the increase of American Eagles around the nation as proof to counter the claim. Most important in the NRA's fight to keep lead ammunition and sinkers in production is the fact that the EPA is not allowed to regulate ammo or fishing lures under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), yet the EPA is still taking it into consideration. Lead is the most widely used material for making bullets, shots and sinkers and the NRA fears that a ban on lead ammunition would force hunters to buy alternatives such as copper, which is often harder to find and costs nearly double. A ban on the manufacturing of such items could ultimately drive people away from the sport of hunting altogether which could pose even greater threats to the environment. According to the NRA, the end of lead ammunition could mean the end of hunting and fishing for those who can't afford the higher priced non-lead alternatives. The reduction in the number of hunters would in turn reduce the income from the sale of hunting licenses, which is the main source of funding for the game and fish departments. Further implications of a ban on lead ammo and sinkers include having a negative impact on wildlife management and control as well as causing possible economic losses for hunting and fishing related businesses. Official voting on the petition will take place November 1, 2010. The EPA is currently asking for public opinion concerning this matter. The comment period ends October 31. To leave a comment for the EPA, click here. To contact the Office of the Administrator of the EPA directly, call 202-564-4700.

EPA Denies Ammo Ban Petition Friday, August 27, 2010

Responding to a grassroots outcry from gun owners, the Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has denied a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity and other radical groups that had sought to ban the use of lead in ammunition. Agreeing with the position of the NRA and the firearms industry, the agency explained in a news release that it “does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).” Further crushing the hopes of anti-gun and anti-hunting activists, the release added: “nor is the agency seeking such authority.” “It’s outrageous that this petition even went this far,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA Executive Director. “We applaud the EPA for its understanding of the law and its common sense in this situation -- both of which were totally missing in the petition filed by these extreme anti-gun and anti-hunting groups.” Because the EPA has no power to regulate ammunition, it will not move ahead with a public comment period on the petition. However, a comment period will remain open until September 15 on the other part of the petition, which asks EPA to ban the use of lead in fishing sinkers. Be sure to watch for more coverage of this important victory in next week’s Grassroots Alert and in NRA’s magazines.