EPA Surrenders to NRA on Gun Control Issue

[cynatnite]

In a swift and unexpected decision, the Environmental Protection Agency today rejected a petition from environmental groups to ban the use of lead in bullets and shotgun shells, claiming it doesn't have jurisdiction to weigh on the controversial Second Amendment issue. The decision came just hours after the Drudge Report posted stories from Washington Whispers and the Weekly Standard about how gun groups were fighting the lead bullet ban.

The EPA had planned to solicit public responses to the petition for two months, but this afternoon issued a statement rejecting a 100-page request from the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, and three other groups for a ban on lead bullets, shot, and fishing sinkers. The agency is still considering what to do about sinkers.

The decision was a huge victory for the National Rifle Association which just seven days ago asked that the EPA reject the petition, suggesting that it was a back door attempt to limit hunting and impose gun control. It also was a politically savvy move to take gun control off the table as the Democrats ready for a very difficult midterm election.

The NRA has spent two years tracking down rumors that the Obama administration wants to impose gun and ammo bans on the public, but hasn't found anything credible. While the lead ban was viewed initially as a substantial chance for the administration to move into challenging the Second Amendment, the swift rejection by the EPA settled concerns inside NRA headquarters today.

http://politics.usnews.com/news/washington-whispers/articles/2010/08/27/epa-surrenders-to-nra-on-gun-control-issue-epa-rejects-attempt-to-regulate-lead-in-bullets-after-nra-protests.html

[dsc]

1. how on earth is that a second amendment issue

Lead is a poison. you don't get to spread poison around, period. Make the bullets out of something not poisonous.

[DongHa69]

3. It's an issue we don't need right now

as we head into the Nov. elections, you just know that the repukes would use it as a wedge issue, maybe after the elections but don't hold your breath.

[Doctor_J]

2. It seems that all of these groups cave in under little pressure

The EPA is much more afraid of the NRA than of normal people, so rather than fight for what's right, they will take the side of the more powerful.

[G_j]

4. yep nt

[depakid]

5. Story of the Obama administration...

which is why no one on either the right or the left- or in any constituency or sector in between has any respect for them.

[pocoloco]

6. Does this mean we can get rid of steel shot??