Washington: Bill to Ban Lead Shot to be Considered Tomorrow!

Please Contact Your State Senators and the Members of the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee Immediately!

Washington NRA members should remember that the Department of Ecology (DOE) was pushing their Lead Chemical Action Plan (Lead CAP) last year.  Despite DOE assurances to the contrary, NRA warned that the Lead CAP was a step on the road to ban lead ammunition.

NRA warnings have been proven to be warranted as Senate Bill 5095 was introduced in Olympia and is scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow, Monday, January 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation Committee.

SB 5095 authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to ban the use of lead shot for hunting anywhere in the state the Commission deems necessary.  The stated purpose of the bill is that the lead shot ban is necessary to protect the California Condor and other “vulnerable wildlife” from the threat of lead poisoning.  The California Condor is not found in Washington State.  Furthermore, there is no scientific evidence that directly links lead ammunition with condor health nor is there scientific evidence that can dismiss other sources of lead that are causing risks to the health of condors where they are found.

SB 5095 is nothing more than an effort to impose a statewide ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting, even if the closures of areas in the state are done piecemeal by the Commission. 

NRA is strongly opposed to this bill and is asking for your help in defeating it.  Please contact your State Senator and the members of the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee IMMEDIATELY and express your opposition to SB 5095.  Remember, SB 5095 will be heard Monday afternoon so you must contact Senators as soon as possible.

The Senate roster with contact information can be found here.

The Senate Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee members and contact information can be found by clicking here.

If you are uncertain who your State Senator is, please click here to find out.