Proposed Bill Could Ban Lead Ammunition in Massachusetts!

[Phil DeGraves]

Proposed Bill Could Ban Lead Ammunition in Massachusetts!

House Bill 783 and Senate Bill 558 introduced by State Representative Jay Kaufman (D-15th Middlesex) and State Senator Steven Tolman (D-2nd Suffolk & Middlesex) would create a more restrictive policy regarding the use of "toxic chemicals" in the Commonwealth. Hidden within the proposal from environmental and anti-gun extremists is what amounts to a ban on all common rifle and handgun ammunition.

"The Safer Alternatives Proposals" will create a program to replace ten "chemicals" with what proponents claim are safer alternatives. On the top of the list of targeted substances is lead, the common element used to make virtually all bullets. As proposed, this legislation could virtually shut down all shooting ranges as well as ban the sale and use of lead ammunition for self-defense, hunting and target practice in Massachusetts. Non-lead alternatives exist for ammunition but are significantly more expensive and, in many instances, have sub-standard performance characteristics. Shooting ranges already fall under federal EPA regulations concerning environmental impact and recent science and EPA guidelines show that lead ammunition on shooting ranges can be managed without detrimentally affecting the environment. Predictably, this legislation does not account for the serious impacts on shooting ranges and the sportsmen and gun owners who use them.

 

[zxcvbob]

Know any good RKBA legislators in Massachesetts? Have them amend the bill to make no exceptions for the police and other government agencies. That will kill it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

On the top of the list of targeted substances is lead, the common element used to make virtually all bullets. As proposed, this legislation could virtually shut down all shooting ranges as well as ban the sale and use of lead ammunition for self-defense, hunting and target practice in Massachusetts.

Shocking. Just shocking. It must be an oversight.

 

[cbsbyte]

A friend emailed me about this yesterday. I contacted my local legislators to address the issue. The staff members seem unaware of it, but took down my stance. Hopefully it won't pass but you never know in this state.

 

[azredhawk44]

Similar tactic being used in AZ, but the "reason" for it here is a fugly bird with a pretty name called the California Condor.

Fancy name for a vulture.

The goal (right now) is to ban lead ammunition in Condor habitats... but if you dig into some of the anti-gun propaganda, there's already the underpinnings that suggest COPPER poisoning will be the next big worry.

Ban lead? Use Barnes bullets.

Ban copper? Not much left to use. Whatever it might be, it'll be much more expensive even than Barnes offerings.

Fight this, folks. I'm working on it in AZ... get a move on in the rest of the states, because this is their next battleground.

 

[buzz_knox]

The antis have long sought a means of banning ammunition, since the war against the guns themselves hasn't gone their way. The first attempt at the AP ammo ban didn't work, nor have efforts to punitively tax ammunition. But the unholy convergence of "environmental" interests and anti-gun forces is apparently working wonders.

 

[revjen45]

"Know any good RKBA legislators in Massachesetts?"
Does such a thing exist? I think you're more likely to see an honest lawyer or a unicorn.

 

[HuntAndFish]

Will the Government be exempt from this law?

 

[cbsbyte]

Does such a thing exist? I think you're more likely to see an honest lawyer or a unicorn.

Yes, there are some in this state. Not many but enough to hold the line. Actually most of them are Democrats with a few Republicans. Thankfully they wield power in legislature committees.

Will the Government be exempt from this law?

What do you think? At this time they will be exempt but they will have to conform to law in the future. Many police departments in the state have switched to clean ammo, so only the small underfunded police departments will be hurt by the law since they will have to buy more expensive ammo. In addition many smaller police departments practice at public clubs so if the club end up being shut down then the police might have to travel further to practice or buy expensive bullet proof trailers to train in.

 

[glennv]

I'm not from MA but I've seen this piece of crap (the man) submit this legislation every freaking year.