NRA attacks “shadowy network” of environmentalists, zoos fighting to ban lead bullets

[Robb]

You might think the NRA would be busy enough fighting its current battles, fending off crazy ideas like expanded background checks for gun sales. But no. The group is now picking a whole new fight, this one against activists who want to ban lead bullets.

Studies have shown that as many as 20 million birds, including endangered California condors, die each year from lead poisoning after ingesting bullet fragments. Ammunition is likely the greatest unregulated source of lead released into the environment, according to a statement (PDF) from scientific experts in lead and environmental health. Some states, notably California, are now weighing regulations to outlaw the use of lead in bullets.

The NRA isn’t going to stand by and let that happen. The group has launched a campaign called Hunt for Truth to fight back against “the assault on traditional lead ammunition” by targeting the groups and individuals — mostly scientists, nonprofits, and government agencies — behind this unconscionable attack on American values.

But the thing is, requiring hunters to use lead-free bullets wouldn’t cause them any great hardship....

Read More: http://grist.org/news/nra-attacks-shadowy-network-of-enviros-and-zoos-fighting-to-ban-lead-bullets/?utm_source=syndication&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed

"The assault on traditional lead ammunition."

Don't miss the conspiracy theory involving "...crooked scientists, phony research, and a shadowy network of nonprofits, zoos and government agencies all conspiring to ban hunting."

[Scuba]

1. I hunted ducks with steel shot for 20+ years after lead was banned. Fuck the NRA.

[msanthrope]

4. I think I used bismuth the last time I went on a turkey hunt. Expensive, but worth it.

That was a very long time ago.

On edit--Damn you autocorrect!!!

[msanthrope]

2. The CDC is in on the conspiracy, apparently.....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested 736 people, mostly adults, in six North Dakota cities and found that those who ate wild game had 50 percent more lead in their blood than those who did not eat it. The lead exposure was highest among people who consumed not only venison, but also birds and other game, according to the study published last month in the journal Environmental Research.

Those who ate wild game meat had average lead levels of 1.27 micrograms per deciliter, compared with 0.84 for those who ate no game. Most said they either hunted the animals themselves or obtained the meat from friends or family members.

“What was most troubling is that as wild game consumption increases, the blood-lead levels increase,” said study co-author Mary Jean Brown, chief of the CDC’s lead poisoning prevention branch. “The strong recommendation we would make is that pregnant women should not consume this meat.”

The CDC is planning a second round of testing this year involving hunters in Wisconsin, Brown said.



http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=wild-game-deer-venison-condors-meat-lead-ammunition-ban

[Mojorabbit]

7. My hubby uses a bow so no problem

I do wildlife rehab and every year the centers get in lead poisoned birds. Needless suffering.

[TheBlackAdder]

3. Someone my brother works with said: "The government bought billions of rounds of ammo. None left."

To the ammunition manufacturers, a billion rounds is NOTHING.

They would love to see sales increase like that, and there still wouldn't be a shortage as the supply chain would have back inventory while they manufactured more. Just another crazy talking point by the tin foil types.

[NYC_SKP]

5. Laughable.

Meanwhile, other organizations like Ducks Unlimited have been on the right side of the lead shot question.

NRA are dummies, not doubt about it. I don't think they represent as many gun owners as they would have us believe and, to be sure, misrepresent more than not.

DU: http://www.ducks.org/news-media/epa-denies-petition-for-lead-ban-in-ammunition

[truthisalie]

6. NRA Shadow Puppets

The NRA and the right in general always think there is some kind of shadow puppet communist false god somewhere.

[Robb]

8. Kick. nt

[ellisonz]

9. They pulled it:

NRA Pulled Its Science-Denying Website That Claimed Lead Ammunition Isn't Poisoning Endangered Wildlife

http://mediamatters.org/research/2013/08/08/nra-pulled-its-science-denying-website-that-cla/195299