Posted on 12/18/2013 12:43:22 PM PST by Sleeping Freeper
When the last bullet-producing lead smelter closes its doors on Dec. 31, it will mark a major victory for those who say lead-based ammunition pollutes the environment, but others warn 'green' bullets will cost more, drive up copper prices and do little to help conservation
The bid to ban lead bullets, seen by some as harmful to the environment, started slowly more than a decade ago. But with two dozen states, including California, banning bullets made of the soft, heavy metal, the lead bullet's epitaph was already being written when the federal government finished it off.
First, the military announced plans to phase out lead bullets by 2018.
Then the federal Environmental Protection Agency, citing emissions, ordered the shutdown of the Doe Run company's lead smelter in Herculaneum, Mo., by year's end.
Whether by state or federal regulation, or by market forces, lead bullets will be all but phased out within a few years in favor of so-called green bullets, experts say. While many believe that this will help the environment by keeping lead from contaminating groundwater, others say switching to copper-based bullets will cost hunters and sportsmen more and have little effect on the environment.
"Whatever the EPA's motivation when creating the new lead air quality standard, increasingly restrictive regulation of lead is likely to affect the production and cost of traditional ammunition," the National Rifle Association said in a statement
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
does it really matter if its lead or steel that tears through the target?
Im looking at this as an ‘opportunity’. Perhaps that nasty lead can be replaced w/ steel...or depleted Uranium!!! :) Perhaps the lead haters will live to regret their ‘cunning’ plan...
What we need are safer bullets
Lead has more stopping power per caliber.
Last I knew lead came from......the ground.
yes
“When the last bullet-producing lead smelter closes its doors “
All the bullet manufacturers say they don’t use primary production lead, they all use secondary reclaimed or recycled lead. This won’t impact bullet makers for a while.
I wonder what this will to to the price of tungsten.
Steel bullets are a bit rough on riflings.
Not so much. See links.
I does matter for ammunition that is intended to drop a person with one round. Steel or FMJ tends to go through the intended target, and can result in not stopping a perp from continuing on with their agenda. FMJ can also go through the target and hit bystanders.
I didn’t know that
thanks
I could be wrong, but I have a sneaking suspicion there will be lead ammo around for quite a while.
lolz
lead-based ammunition pollutes the environment ,but where does lead come from ,D’oh , LOL
While this has the immediate impact on lead ammunition, I personally think the possibilities of three-D printing of new types of ammunition are likely to be developed, Perhaps even steel cored ceramic ammunition.
In other words these people may not like what they receive as an alternative to lead ammunition.
Somehow when I have a weapon it’s an “assault weapon” but if a jackbooted cop/thug carries one its a “personal defense weapon”.
What you are saying is that FMJ are more dangerous because they go through targets and hit bystanders, yet those bullets won’t be banned. lol.
Crazy liberals.
Like Arsenic.
I think the California lead ban is only for hunting.
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