In a decision that is being viewed as a huge win for the hunting and shooting industries, the Environmental Protection Agency has denied a petition by five environmental groups to ban lead in hunting ammunition, saying the issue is not within the agency's jurisdiction.


On Friday, Steve Owens, SPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said EPA reached its decision  “because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – nor is the agency seeking such authority.”

Late last week, EPA officials announced the agency was considering the petition and would open the subject up to public comment on Thursday, Aug. 26.


The petition, which was brought about by the Petitioners Center for Biological Diversity, American Bird Conservancy, Project Gutpile and others, was submitted to the EPA on Aug. 3 and attested that ammunition and tackle manufacturers are now marketing a variety of non-lead, non-toxic bullets, shotguns pellets and fishing tackle that should be used instead of traditional lead products.


The petition stated  “… the continued availability of traditional lead bullets and shot exposes any animal that preys or scavenges on targeted wildlife to lead’s toxic effects.”


The National Shooting Sports Foundation helped spearhead the oppositional movement against the petition, encouraging sportsmen, gun owners and all shooting sports enthusiast to voice their opinions regarding the validity of the petition. The decision is being considered a monumental win for gun rights groups, incuding the NRA and the NSSF.


Responding to the decision of the EPA, NSSF President Stephen L. Sanetti said, “This is a tremendous victory for all sportsmen, hunters and gun-owners.  As the trade association for America’s firearms and ammunition industry, NSSF is thankful to the tens of thousands who answered our call to action and made their voices heard. Today’s victory belongs to them.”


NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane noted, “As we celebrate today’s decision, the fight to preserve and protect traditional ammunition from legislative, regulatory and judicial attack remains. And in order to ensure that our right to choose the ammunition we hunt and shoot with continues, it is imperative that we stay vigilant. This fight is far from over.”