Gun Owners of America, a two-million-member, nonprofit gun lobbying organization, has announced its latest defense against lead ammunition ban efforts in Washington, D.C.
Last week, the GOA issued a public comment to the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Service, which proposed yet another lead ammunition ban on certain public lands. The proposed rule by USFWS would affect hunting and fishing season starting this year.
According to GOA communications, former president Donald Trump reversed lead ammunition and fishing tackle restrictions imposed by the Obama-Biden administration. But Vice President Harris appears prepared to continue lead ammo ban efforts, which the GOA declares is just an attempt to make it expensive and difficult to hunt on certain public lands.
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Mark Jones, Gun Owners of America’s National Director of Hunter Outreach, issued the following statement published on the GOA website:
“As a Certified Wildlife Biologist® with 32 years of experience in wildlife management, I can say that the claims made by USFWS are not supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. In turn, it’s obvious that this proposed rule is simply meant to frustrate and further disincentivize hunters and target shooters by making it harder and more expensive to participate in the shooting sports. GOA is proud to oppose this rule and will continue to push back on Capitol Hill should it go through.”
Aidan Johnston, Director of GOA’s Federal Affairs, added this statement:
“The Harris-Walz campaign can sell all the camo hats it wants, but that doesn’t change the fact that Kamala Harris has tried to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle every year for the last three years. A Harris-Walz Administration would mean another four years of rogue federal agencies criminalizing the actions of sportsmen to suppress our nation’s proud traditions of hunting and fishing.”
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The latest proposed ban and the GOA’s defense does not include arguments against the long-standing ban on lead ammunition while hunting waterfowl.
According to the National Park Service’s website, further studies are needed, but there is concern that ground game meat is not always lead-free. They contend that lead fragments could poison humans and wildlife, according to small studies conducted with packaged venison from meat processing plants.
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