EPA denies petition to ban

traditional ammunition

The Environmental Protection Agency denied another petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) calling for a ban on traditional ammunition containing lead-core components for hunting and shooting. The National Shooting Sports Foundation applauded the EPA's decision and called upon Congress to immediately pass the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act (S.838/H.R.1558).

In the House of Representatives, the bill is also included in the Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 (H.R. 4089), an important piece of legislation that combines three other legislative priorities for sportsmen.

The bill (S.838/H.R.1558) amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to clarify that the Congress has excluded traditional ammunition from regulation by the EPA. The legislation is supported by more than 35 national conservation and sportsmen's groups in addition to the Fraternal Order of Police because a ban on traditional ammunition would apply to law enforcement and the U.S. military.

This was the second attempt by the CBD to ban traditional ammunition since it first petitioned the EPA in August of 2010. In rejecting the CBD's latest petition the EPA told CBD that it did not have jurisdiction under TSCA to regulate ammunition. The CBD's petition purported to narrow the scope of the ban sought but the EPA concluded that this change was a "distinction without a substantive difference." The EPA went on to say the new petition "contains no new information."

The CBD's serial petitions erroneously claim that the use of traditional ammunition by hunters poses a danger to human health and wildlife, in particular raptor populations such as bald eagles however research has shown that wildlife populations, including raptor and bald eagle populations, are soaring. The myth of a human health risk has been thoroughly debunked by a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found the health of hunters consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition was not at risk.

The excise taxes raised from hunters' purchases of the very ammunition the CBD tries to demonize is a primary source of wildlife conservation in the United States. Restricting or banning traditional ammunition absent sound science will hurt wildlife conservation. "Hunters have done more for wildlife than the CBD ever will," Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, said. "These relentless and unfounded attacks against traditional ammunition by agenda-driven groups like the CBD are exactly why Congress must take immediate action and pass the Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012."

Keane is referencing the federal excise tax that manufacturers pay on the sale of the ammunition (11 percent), which is dedicated to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (Source: National Shooting Sports Foundation)

Canada dumps long-gun registry;

Quebec balks

Canada's Conservative party has successfully laid the long gun registry to rest with Royal Assent on Bill C-19. "The Firearms Act has been a thorn in the side of hunters, sport shooters, farmers and heritage firearms enthusiasts for 17 years," says Tony Bernardo of the Canadian Shooting Sport Association. "We know the registry was a cheap political ploy from a previous government that pretended to keep Canadians safe. It wasn't gun control, and it wasn't designed to do anything but frustrate honest, law-abiding firearms owners." Undaunted, the Government of Quebec has vowed an injunction to try to prevent the data from being destroyed so it can be turned over to the province. As a result, the Act to amend the Firearms Act is on hold pending the outcome of the court case brought forward by the Quebec government. "While we are satisfied that the Harper government has delivered on its promise to scrap the long gun registry, we are shocked and profoundly disappointed that a provincial court can overrule what the people of Canada have voted upon through the parliamentary process," said Angelo Lombardo, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

IDPA builds on strong growth

The International Defensive Pistol Association has retained communications expert Paul Erhardt to expand the organization's social media, public relations and marketing efforts. "IDPA is experiencing explosive growth with 800 to 900 new members joining monthly. With Paul's help, IDPA will work to maintain this growth. We aim to capitalize on the social nature that has made IDPA so popular and we are thrilled to have Paul as part of the IDPA team," said Joyce Wilson, executive director of IDPA. According to Wilson, with the popularity of firearms ownership and concealed carry licensing at an all-time high, IDPA membership rolls have grown by 40% since 2007. The organization now has nearly 20,000 members. With 320 affiliated clubs around the country, IDPA is a shooting sport that is both accessible and in demand. Working with Wilson and the rest of the IDPA staff and leadership, Erhardt will help develop a comprehensive marketing strategy focused on recruitment and retention while greatly expanding the organization's communications effort to members, clubs and sponsors all while preserving the unique culture and brand that has made IDPA so successful.

Zombie Max ammo plant auction

benefits USA Shooting

Hornady Manufacturing is offering a unique opportunity to bid on a rare Zombie Max Ammo Plant in an online auction with all proceeds benefiting the USA Shooting Team competing in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. The online auction will be held on