CAL-ERT 06/12/09 -- Noon --IMMEDIATE DANGER: EXPANSION OF LEAD AMMO BAN

CALIFORNIA ALERT SYSTEM
Multiple Organization Alert

NRA
Members'
Councils
of
California

CAL-ERT 06/12/09 --- Noon
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CALIFORNIA REGULATORY ALERT
This information is accurate at the time this CAL-ERT was written and originally distributed. The NRA Members' Councils of California and the California Rifle and Pistol Association have issued this alert in a cooperative effort and will keep you informed as issues affect your gun-rights in California.

EXPANSION OF THE BAN ON LEAD AMMUNITION MAY BE ATTEMPTED BY FISH & GAME

HISTORY:
On February 5, 2009, we informed you that the California Fish and Game Commission was considering a state-wide ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting. After a ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting in areas occupied by the California condor (AB821) was signed into law in 2007, the Commission used its hunting regulations to unnecessarily extend the ban to include .22 rimfire ammunition and to expand the boundaries where the ban applies.

From the beginning, proponents of the current ban have wanted lead ammunition banned state-wide. The California condor was simply being used as an excuse by the anti-hunters and anti-gunners to carry out this agenda. They have already achieved a partial ban. Their ultimate goal is to take the ban state-wide! If they are successful, they will push to ban the use of lead ammunition for everyone, not just hunters.

Strange as it may seem, the California Fish and Game Commission is denying that a state-wide ban is being considered.

In fact, the exact statement is "Contrary to stories circulating the Internet, the Fish and Game Commission is NOT considering a Statewide ban of lead ammunition in California." They have also said, "Contrary to action alerts sent by Nation Riffle Association [sic] and California Riffle and Pistol Association, [sic] the Fish and Game Commission is NOT considering a Statewide ban of lead ammunition in California."

The only reasonable explanation is that someone is quite misinformed, or someone is not being forthright with their responses.

How do California's hunters, shooters, and sportsmen learn the real story?

Pamela Flick of The Defenders of Wildlife proves CFG Commissioner Kellogg right: It's not about the condors; it's about banning lead ammo.

Who will tell the public the facts regarding this important matter? WE WILL! ! !

If a Fish and Game Commissioner, during the hearing, would actually suggest and/or attempt to place the issue of a state-wide lead ammunition ban on an upcoming Commission agenda, we would know for sure and be able to prove that the threat is real.

That is exactly what California Fish and Game Commission member Michael Sutton suggested on February 5, 2009!

As everyone can see, by viewing this video, Commissioner Sutton agreed with the extremist views of the radical environmental groups when among other things, he stated, "....then I'm going to suggest that we agendize this........and consideration of possible further action."

He was responding to the calls for a state-wide lead ammunition ban! (see video above)

After some rather strong discussion, Commissioner Sutton backed-away from his attempt to place a state-wide lead ammunition ban on the agenda. He, and others on the commission who have voted for lead ammunition bans in the past, appeared to attempt to justify possible future actions by stating that they didn't want "...to get ahead of the science."

But there isn't any valid scientific studies that justify the existing or future lead ammunition bans. And simply responding with such extreme measures, based upon questionable data and rhetoric is bad public policy in any venue.

CFG commissioners Rogers and Sutton are doing their best to get out in front of the science. Of course, they fervently deny that this is what they're doing, but it's hard to reach any other conclusion. What else should we conclude when Sutton asks if the staff's report will be done in time to vote on the issue? Or when he pushes to "agendize" a statewide lead ammo before the scientists release their findings?

So, where does this leave shooters, hunters, and sportsmen, in the Golden State?

After the California Alert System notification on February 5, 2009 received general circulation, sportsmen from across the state contacted the Fish and Game and they have not publicly proposed considering a "state-wide" ban since that February 5, 2009 meeting.

THAT IS NOT THE END TO THIS STORY:
As a result of negotiations with environmental groups who support the banning of lead ammunition, the California Fish and Game has agreed to place on the Commission's Agenda, an expansion of the lead ammunition ban within the so-called "Condor Zone." Lead ammunition ban proponents are hoping to receive the support of the same commissioners who voted their way on the current lead ammunition ban regulations. California's sportsmen must inform the Fish and Game Commission that more bans on lead ammunition is not the right thing to do and will not go unnoticed.

SCIENCE OR ANTI-GUN SCARE TACTICS:
There is no scientific evidence that lead ammunition is the source of lead affecting the health of condors released to the wild. There is no scientific evidence that lead ammunition is a risk to human health and the environment in California. What is evident is that there are a group of special interests that have friends on the Commission who will not stop until the most affordable, available, and balistically superior ammunition available is banned in our state. When that happens they know the damage it will do to hunting and shooting participation.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Please write AND call the California Fish and Game Commission and request that they oppose all efforts to expand the ban on lead ammunition.
If you can attend the Fish and Game Commission meetings on June 24th & 25th, in Woodland, CA., PLEASE ATTEND and let your voice be heard. Inform the Commissioners that you do not support any expansion of the Lead Ammunition Ban in California.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although the NRA and CRPA vigorously opposed AB821 back in 2007, it is now law. However, it is unfortunate that the CA. Fish & Game Commission expanded the restrictions much farther than those required by AB821. Therefore, the NRA and CRPA urge you to contact the CA. Fish & Game Commission and voice your opposition to even more enhanced restrictions that exceed the scope and intent of AB821. If we do not stop them from expanding the ban now, how are we going to stop them from banning Lead Ammunition state-wide? Now is the time to act!

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CA. FISH & GAME COMMISSION:
Next Meeting Location:
Yolo Fliers Club
17980 County Road 94B
Woodland, California, 95695

Click on this MAP LINK for driving directions and a detailed map to the meeting location.

Mailing Address:
California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

Phone Number:
(916) 653-4899

Fax Number:
(916) 653-5040

E-Mail: (Please include "Expansion of Lead Ammo Ban" in the e-mail subject line.)
Submit written comments, via electronic mail to:
John Carlson, Jr., Executive Director fgc@fgc.ca.gov
Jon K. Fischer, Deputy Executive Director - Regulations and Policy jfischer@fgc.ca.gov
Adrianna Shea, Deputy Executive Director - Special Advisor to the Commissioners ashea@fgc.ca.gov

Note: If you prefer to send only one email, you can send a single email to the Fish and Game representatives by using the special "ONE CLICK" email address that you can find HERE . By sending one email to the special "ONE CLICK" address, each one of the Fish and Game representatives (listed above) will receive a copy of your message (so it is probably a good idea to address your messages with: Dear Fish & Game Commission,).

Due to some duplication of efforts, some people might get more than one copy of this message. We apologize if this causes any inconvenience.

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