UPDATE: From Fox News:
"The Environmental Protection Agency has denied a petition filed by environmental activists seeking to ban lead in ammunition and fishing tackle, saying such regulation is beyond the agency's authority.
"The agency's decision, announced Friday..."
It looks to me like someone in the administration had a "What are they, nuts?" moment, figured this is a crazy thing to be doing just before the Nov. election and ordered a stand-down.
I'm sure the anger ginned up in the gun community helped convince them of the error of their ways...
The column written before this announcement follows.
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"The U.S. Supreme Court says Americans have an individual right to keep and bear arms. The EPA says the bullets for those guns may be banned as an environmental hazard," an Investors Business Daily editorial claims.
Close but not quite. Per the National Shooting Sports Foundation, they're "considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – a leading anti-hunting organization – to ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, a law in which Congress expressly exempted ammunition."
We've seen similar efforts in California, which "imposed a ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting in areas occupied by the California condor." Lost in much of the public debate are some inconvenient truths, such as a study finding "'no documentation or direct evidence' that condors ingest enough lead from ammunition to account for the lead found in their tissues."
Chris Cox of NRA-ILA sent EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson a letter detailing why the agency has no legal authority to regulate this matter under TSCA. Among the k ey points: "Congress explicitly excluded from this definition 'any article the sale of which is subject to the tax imposed by...the Internal Revenue Code'...which imposes excise taxes upon pistols, revolvers, and firearms...as well as '[s]hells, and cartridges.'"
Implementing the petition would require EPA to vest itself with powers that negate the clear intent of Congress: "If EPA can regulate each individual component of ammunition, then EPA can effectively regulate shells and cartridges themselves."
"Put another way," the letter states, "if Congress exempts a cow from regulation, one could hardly argue that it nevertheless would allow for regulation of the hide attached to the cow's body."
Legalistic arguments aside, the answer from the gun owner community must be a resounding and defiant "No!"
There are several ways for you to communicate that, which NSSF provides in its press release.
First, read the petition.
Then offer your comments.
Contact Lisa Jackson directly: jackson.lisa@epa.gov
And contact your representative and senators. You can use NSSF's polite form letter if you like, but I prefer sending them a more...visceral message, including the fact that no way in hell will this be tolerated, no matter what damn foolishness they're intent on starting.
Don't take it from an agency that declares atmospheric carbon dioxide a "human health hazard" to advance a political agenda. Don't take it from career leftist bureaucrat Lisa Jackson. And for damn sure, don't take it from a foundation-subsidized "Anti-industry legal attack group [that] uses the Endangered Species Act and media scare tactics as a weapon to destroy America's industrial strength and resource production by bringing lawsuits against a wide spectrum of resource use companies, private property owners and against government to stop resource use."
Let the environmentalcases run things, and before you know it they'll be banning dihydrogen monoxide.
As a side note, if, as the NSSF presser claims, Jackson "was responsible for banning bear hunting in New Jersey" (and it looks like she played her part, although in fairness, "Republican" Christine Todd Whitman had already blazed that trail) there should have been great hue and cry from the gun community at her confirmation, including a commitment that voting for her would negatively affect ratings. We can't afford to let bureaucrats who will attempt great damage to freedom get to the controls without letting those giving them aid and comfort know there will be a price to pay.
Enough. It's time to get the lead out and mobilize. Make your voice heard now. Make it strong.
Also see:
"Getting the lead out"
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Getting the word on lead out
I had two radio interviews yesterday, one with Andy Caldwell at Calfornia Central Coast's KUHL AM 1440, where we discussed the lead issue, along with proposed state bills to register long guns and ban open carry, and one with Michael Carl of WorldNetDaily devoted exclusively to the proposed EPA ban. I don't see either online yet, but will provide links in a later column.
Comments
Its alleged that waterfowl and scavangers, including the California Condor suffer from increased mortality from ingesting lead introduced in the environment by hunters. I have two questions.
1. Where does the lead come from in the first place if not from the environment.
2. How many hunters die from ingesting lead from pellets and bullet fragments left in the meat they consume?
No one has ever proven that the lead used in bullets has ever endangered any species to teh point of extinction. Developers endanger far more species every day than hunters ever will. But developers stuff politicians pockets with money adn hunters don't. Maybe hunters should start stuffing the ballot boxes to slow down developers, leave lands open, and boot the politicians who sell their votes to special interests. It is time people tel the politicians enough is enough adn if you don't listen then join US in the unemployment line where YOU put US.
Submitted.
My comment on the EPA web site:
EPA Representative:
This proposal violates federal law, namely the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, therefore cannot be enabled.
Further, the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, has no basis for existing under the US Constitution, which means that any such regulation will a nullity on the day is is enacted.
This attempt to violate the rights of individuals to be armed with any weapon is unsound.
The EPA will not like the consequences of proceeding further, strongly recommend you take down this proposal and dismiss the author of it immediately.
Comment Tracking Number: 80b3b4b2
I edited the "polite" letter. It was far too long anyway. Here is my improved version:
"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering banning all traditional ammunition -- ammunition containing lead-core components. This is something that would affect all hunters, target shooters and law enforcement.
As your constituent, I demand you do whatever you can to stop the EPA, which has no jurisdiction over such matters, from banning our ammunition.
I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. Should you fail to vote against the proposed ban, I will personally do all in my power to see that you are voted out of office at the earliest possible opportunity."
The only thing needing banned are the EPA and all the other unconstitutional departments in the federal government . Another way to say this is ("return freedom to we the people ").
It was a trial balloon and maybe an intel gathering ploy. That and maybe a simple additional provocation by the left. They like it when we're constantly defensive. That should be a clue.....
Well it looks like this issue has been pulled for the moment after the Drudge report ran a story on the proposed ban.
The power Elite are arrogant but they know when they are out numbered and when it’s best to leave or drop an issue.
They will try again to ban ammo or pass some type of gun control so we must be ready.
I know I’m preaching to the choir but get all of the food, spare parts and ammo you need while you still can.
Israel has just purchased $2 billion dollars worth of jet fuel enough to fight a major war.
My comment?
"You're considering banning lead ammunition because of some theoretical possibility of some sort of risk to the environment.
What you SHOULD be considering is the very real PROBABILITY of serious risk to EPA personnel should they attempt to enact or enforce this Intolerable Act.
Maybe you haven't noticed, but people are just about done backing up.
I wouldn't push them any farther if I were you..."
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