HR 1445: Removing EPA's Authority To Regulate Lead In Ammo (Updated)

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) introduced HR 1445 on Friday. This bill would, according to its title, "prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle."

While the text of the bill is not yet available, I am assuming it is directly aimed at the lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, Project Gutpile, and others to ban lead in ammunition and fishing tackle. These groups have a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to force the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate (ban) lead as a toxic substance.

The Shooting Wire had a feature story today on a report just released by the American Bird Conservancy that seeks to link lead and mortality in California condors.

This survey, conducted by scientists at the University of California/Santa Cruz, the University of Wyoming, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service is "especially important and unique" according to Dr. Michael Fry, an avian toxicologist and Director of Conservation Advocacy for the ABC, not just because it cites lead as a major factor, but it "cites lead ammunition specifically."

Dr. Fry contends the survey provides the smoking gun, if you will, that dismisses a key argument from the ammunition industry: the lack of specific data to identify a source or sources of lead poisoning. This survey, he says, "connects the dots between condor deaths and lead ammunition."

HR 1445 is currently co-sponsored by eight representatives from both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Broun's biography has this to say about his interest in hunting, fishing, and the Second Amendment.

Dr. Broun participates in many diverse organizations and activities ranging from politics and religion to cooking and sports, including: the National Rifle Association, Gideons International, Rotary International, Trout Unlimited, Gun Owners of America and University of Georgia President’s Club. He was the founding President of the Georgia Republican Assembly, and President of the Georgia Sport Shooting Association (the NRA state affiliate). Dr. Broun is an avid outdoorsman, having a passion for conservation, hunting, fishing, and Second Amendment rights.

It also notes that he was a volunteer lobbyist for Safari Club International.

As soon as the text of this bill becomes available, I will post it. I don't know if Rep. Broun knew of the "study" before introducing his bill but it was certainly timely.

UPDATE: Here is the text of HR 1445:

H.R.1445 -- To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle. (Introduced in House - IH)

HR 1445 IH

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1445
To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 8, 2011
Mr. BROUN of Georgia (for himself, Mr. BOREN, Mr. ROSS of Arkansas, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. REHBERG, Ms. JENKINS, and Mr. MILLER of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FIREARM AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE.

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not prohibit, limit, or control, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle.

I am sure it is no coincidence that this bill was filed just after the National Shooting Sports Foundation had its annual Congressional Fly-In on April 6-7. Industry leaders converged on D.C. to remind lawmakers about the role the firearms industry plays in the economy as well as the importance of the excise taxes in paying for wildlife conservation. If this bill is any indication, it looks like it was successful.