|
News from the newspaper the Sacramento Bee indicates there is a major controversy raging in California political circles over the use of lead shot and lead bullets. The NRA is heavily engaged in this battle, which is seen as a watershed event in that it will likely lead to other restrictions on ammunition and will spread to other states.
Once again, the once nearly extinct California Condor finds itself at the center of an issue. The lead bullet ban is based on the contention that California Condors (and some other game animals) are at danger of poisoning from lead projectiles. At one time, the population of the California Condor was down to 27 birds. These days, the population is estimated by the California Department of Fish and Game at around 275.
I suppose the number of shooters in a big state like California might be numbered in the millions. I don't like to see any species of wildlife disappear; on the other hand, I wonder about the legitimacy of hamstringing the rights of millions of shooters over 275 condors. I wonder how many condors have been poisoned by a .38 caliber RNL bullet. One has to wonder what kind of evidence the proponents of the lead bullet ban have that lead bullets are killing condors in significant numbers. The last I heard, the decline of the California Condor in the 1970's was linked to poison used by ranchers to kill coyotes, the carcases of which were eated by condors, who then became poisoned themselves. Lead bullets didn't have anything to do with that.
Here are a few things to think about with this issue. How would a lead bullet ban effect shooters who cast and shoot their own? Next, remember, .22 rimfire bullets are lead. I suppose the ammo manufacturers could come up with a lead substitute for the .22, but no doubt it would be more expensive and that would have some discouraging effect on the shooting sport. Another concern might be, how much exposed lead constitutes a lead bullet? Most hunting bullets have an exposed lead tip, so would this constitute a lead bullet? Of course, there are the FMJ bullets, but even most of these have an base with exposed lead. There are some FMJ pistol bullets that have a gilding metal cap over the lead base so as to reduce lead exposure. I suppose in rifle bullets that leaves the solids, like they use to shoot Rhinoceros. Come to think of it, I can't recall seeing a Rhino running the range in California.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
