Much to the chagrin of the hunting, fishing and firearms communities, the Environmental Protection Agency is now considering a petition to ban all traditional firearms ammunition along with lead fishing sinkers on the grounds that the use of lead violates the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976.


The petition, which is sponsored by several environmental activist groups, including the Petitioners Center for Biological Diversity, American Bird Conservancy, Project Gutpile, and others, was submitted to the EPA on Aug. 3 and attests 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 states “…even low levels of exposure to lead can cause neurological damage, and there may be no safe level of lead in the body tissues of fetuses and young.


Despite this knowledge, lead continues to be used in manufactured products, many of which are sources of toxic lead exposure to wildlife and to human beings.”


The petition later states that “… the continued availability of traditional lead bullets and shot exposes any animal that preys or scavenges on targeted wildlife to lead’s toxic effects. Lead shotgun pellets and lead fishing tackle accumulate in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, where animals encounter and ingest these lead items, often mistaking them for food, grit or bone fragments. More than 130 species of animals (including mammals, upland birds, raptors, waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles) have been reported in scientific literature as being exposed or killed by ingesting [lead].”


On the other side of the argument, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has issued a statement refuting the claims of the petition, stating that there is no scientific evidence showing that traditional ammunition has an adverse impact on wildlife populations. The NSSF has urged those opposed to the petition to submit comments online to the EPA or to contact EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson directly. The public comment period opened on Aug. 25 and ends on Oct. 31. The EPA must decide whether to accept or reject the petition by Nov. 1.


The industry can get more details at: www.nssf.org