California Bill Would Prohibit Lead Shot

2/25/10



A new bill in California would greatly restrict the use of traditional lead shot ammunition by hunters and recreational shooters in the state.

Assembly Bill 2223, introduced by Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D- Santa Barbara), would ban the use of traditional shot within California’s Wildlife Management Areas which encompasses over one half million acres of state hunting and recreational shooting land.

The bill would require that only ammunition approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for waterfowl and coot hunting be used on state land.

“It is disturbing that lead ammunition is being targeted again since state wildlife areas are largely funded by the taxes levied on such ammunition,” said Evan Heusinkveld, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) director of state services. “Additionally, there is no demonstrated need to pass this legislation as the California Fish and Game Commission already has the authority to place restrictions on ammunition on a case by case basis. Those decisions are based on science and should be left up to the state’s wildlife management professionals.”

A leading California sportsmen organization echoed those sentiments.

“AB 2223 circumvents the science-based regulatory process of the California Fish and Game Commission,” said Mark Hennelly, vice president of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. “It wrongly allows politics to influence hunting regulations and the management of our wildlife resources.”

Take Action! California sportsmen should contact their state assembly members and urge them to oppose AB 2223. Tell them that science, not politics or public opinion, should be the basic for wildlife management practices.

To find your state assembly member’s phone number and other contact information, use the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac.

What will they have to use now for small game? Steel shot or Bismuth? Sounds crazy to me--- as I am ready to pack for 2 days rabbit hunting this weekend.

One would think that they (California lawmakers) would concentrate on keeping their eye on the big ball which is the state of their economy rather than on rabbit hunters and such that sprinkle some lead shot on state land. Hello California lawmakers....you are several billion dollars in the red and that situation needs your complete attention! Do they get it yet that some of their nutty regulations is a big part as to why they are so way broke?

Them worrying about lead shot would be like someone standing on train tracks worrying about tying their shoes as a train bears down on them at about 100mph.

This is what happens when the legislature is elected by the urban liberals. It is just like the US as a whole. The population centers in the LA and SF areas dictate to the rest of us without regard to science or sanity. And BTW. it's just another "feel good" bill to distract the sleepy populace from the real problem which is WE'RE $20,000,000,000 IN THE RED because of this very same legislature.
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain".