NEWTOWN, Conn –-(Ammoland.com)- As expected, the California Fish and Game Commission this week began the formal process, which will likely be completed in April 2015, to approve regulations to implement AB711, the state law banning the use of traditional lead component ammunition in hunting.
Commission President Michael Sutton, whose paid employment by the Audubon Society and Pacific Flyway project had been repeatedly challenged by NSSF for its clear conflict of interest under state law, finally decided to recuse himself for the vote.
Once formally adopted, the initial regulation phase-in will begin in July 2015. The vote came the same week that NSSF was able to confirm that a federal official acted to withhold the results of a key study on blood lead levels in California Condors until after the state legislature voted to approve AB711.
The report shows that the current ban on traditional ammunition is not resulted in lower blood lead levels in condors, because condors are accessing lead from sources other than ammunition.
NSSF had opposed passage of AB711 and since its enactment has been seeking more time before implementation to allow the industry to develop more alternatives and to increase supply of non-traditional ammunition.
We will continue to keep you informed of developments.
About NSSF The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.