Attempted Lead Ammo Ban Denied, Round 1 to Hunters
Well, blimey: Last Friday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied a petition that asked it to ban the production and sale of lead ammunition and fishing tackle. So round 1 of this battle – you are nuts if you think there won’t be a round 2, 3, etc.! – goes to us Neanderthals.
Steve Owens, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, stated: “EPA reached this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)” – which the firearms industry had pointed out, and which the green groups who wanted this had tried to circumvent by asking the EPA to put ammo under the Act. But only Congress can do that.
But wait, there’s more: As Jim Shepherd of The Outdoor Wire pointed out, “It was the clause following that explanation that has the firearms industry celebration: ‘…nor is the agency seeking such authority.'”
Owens also added, “EPA is taking action on many fronts to address major sources of lead in our society, such as eliminating childhood exposures to lead. However, EPA was not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife.”
How you like them apples, greenies?
If you took the time to contact the EPA and/or your representatives, it was time well spent because the outcry from hunters apparently was a big factor in the TKO. Shepherd reported that the petition “elicited tens of thousands of comments only hours after the opening of the public comment period.”
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) jumped on the hunter bandwagon. As the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, he said that EPA lacks jurisdiction over the issues (yes, issues – see below re: fishing tackle) and added “I don’t think the science is there” for a lead ammo ban.
He said the issue belongs to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and took some dialogue from the politician and Braveheart scripts when he said: “They are just talking about taking away Americans’ freedom. We are not going to let them get by with this foolishness.” [Cue screaming Scottish warriors.]
Fishing Sinkers and Lures Still in Play
EPA noted: “As there are no similar jurisdictional issues relating to the agency’s authority over fishing sinkers, EPA – as required by law – will continue formally reviewing a second part of the petition related to lead fishing sinkers.”
So as Shephered aptly said: “If you’re strictly a shooter, Friday’s decision is certainly reason to celebrate. If, however, you’re also an angler – or want to express your position that the evidence against lead’s use in fishing tackle is no more solid scientifically than that cited regarding ammunition – today is another opportunity to speak out against acceptance of any portion of that petition.”
You can do that for another 2 weeks, until Sept. 15 when the comment period closes.
Do it online here or email EPA head Lisa Jackson at: jackson.lisa@epa.gov.
Don’t forget to contact your congressional “representatives.”
Category: Ammo/shells, Feds
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