Are lead pellets in danger of being banned?

Ya know, lead is natural. It comes from the Earth.

True fact...lead comes from the ground. Pellet traps are a good way to keep lead out of the backyard, but otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it. If you use another material, you are merely substituting another material. Unless you are shooting wooden pellets or something (just a hyperbolic example) you aren’t going to have the higher ecological ethical standard. The best thing, if you worry about pollution in the environment, is probably making a good example of all the airgunners out there by picking up some trash other people might have left around the local shooting spot. 
 
Ya know, lead is natural. It comes from the Earth.

From earth, rarely on it, even more rare to be easily accessible to wildlife and of the right size.

Birds swallow rocks to aid in digestion which may find a shiny pellet instead, other animals build beds from random things, predators eat the animals lost, or parts tossed that may contain pellets. And although lead comes from the ground, its different because now water is hitting it that might not have before, now you have more lead being leached into the water table. But more important the food chain is more contaminated. Of course it wouldn't matter if it was just you shooting, it becomes a issue when theres hundreds of thousands dropping lead everywhere, every year. Doesnt really matter, over population results in everywhere turning into new york eventually anyway. Working 4 jobs to pay for your 4 square foot appartment will be more than enough to keep you busy, you wont need to worry about pesky laws
 
OP, are there specific laws in your area you can tell us about?

Sure, in California no hunting is allowed with ANY lead shot or bullets. All hunting bullets must be either solid copper or some non-toxic alloy. The Sacramento politicians banned hunting with anything lead a few years back. It started about 15-20 years ago as a way to protect the endangered California Condor, which is actually a giant scavenger vulture/buzzard. Then they figured it would be a good way to discourage hunting. And, they were successful. Once the lead projectiles were banned, state hunting revenue dropped significantly. The same DEMOCRAT politicians have been clamoring about banning ANY lead for ANY purpose for years. Additionally, since January, you can't buy a box of ammo unless you pass a back round check, the same check as when purchasing a firearm. It is also illegal for California subjects to purchase ammo out of state and all mail order ammo is banned. Your ammo purchases are kept in a state database with your name and address. It's only a matter of time until lead bullets will be banned at all rifle and pistol ranges, as well as, trap, skeet and sporting clay ranges as well. Sacramento democrats see it as a very effective form of gun control. At least that is my opinion.
 
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OP, are there specific laws in your area you can tell us about?

Sure, in California no hunting is allowed with ANY lead shot or bullets. All hunting bullets must be either solid copper or some non-toxic alloy. The Sacramento politicians banned hunting with anything lead a few years back. It started about 15-20 years ago as a way to protect the endangered California Condor, which is actually a giant scavenger vulture/buzzard. Then they figured it would be a good way to discourage hunting. And, they were successful. Once the lead projectiles were banned, state hunting revenue dropped significantly. The same DEMOCRAT politicians have been clamoring about banning ANY lead for ANY purpose for years. Additionally, since January, you can't buy a box of ammo unless you pass a back round check, the same check as when purchasing a firearm. It is also illegal for California subjects to purchase ammo out of state and all mail order ammo is banned. Your ammo purchases are kept in a state database with your name and address. It's only a matter of time until lead bullets will be banned at all rifle and pistol ranges, as well as, trap, skeet and sporting clay ranges as well. Sacramento democrats see it as a very effective form of gun control. At least that is my opinion.

I’d like to clarify a few things here. You are correct in your assertion that all lead bullets and shot are banned, however even our overlords in Sacramento recognize that airguns aren’t firearms, and thus, hunting with lead pellets is still legal. Also, regarding the purchase of ammunition; you are again correct in that it presents a needless burden to the law abiding individuals who are most likely to purchase it for legitimate concerns. However, if one chooses to travel out of state, that person is not prohibited from purchasing ammunition. In fact, they can purchase all they wish, but they cannot legally bring it back into the state. There’s the rub.

Of course there is a work around if you’re willing to jump through a few hoops. Send off for a C&R ffl and then apply through the California DOJ for a COE (certificate of eligibility). You will then be able to purchase ammunition through the mail and, if you wish, bring it in from out of state.

But back to airguns, look at the DFG website that discusses lead projectile prohibition and you will see the exemption for airguns is very clear. 

At least for now.


 
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but when u think about it were basically poisoning the thing we love by spreading lead all over it




like many have said lead came from earth and is only horrible in high concentrations.



the reason California banned lead ammo isn’t for lead pollution, it’s actually for the condors and other carion/scavenging animals. Not all prey can be retrieved and when lead bullets or shots from shotgun shell left in the animal the condors and other scavenger will ingest lead in obvious high concentration and caused a lot of death. Befor the outright ban, lead ammo was banned in the condor ranges only and eventually extended to the entire state. 
 
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Sure, in California no hunting is allowed with ANY lead shot or bullets. All hunting bullets must be either solid copper or some non-toxic alloy. 


No need to bring politics here as the law is the law and only hope to change anything at all is through voting.



with that out of the way your understanding is the law is only correct regarding or applies only to FIREARMS. It is very clearly stated in the DFG regulation hand book and website that airgun is not firearm and therefore lead ammo ban does not apply. If there is any confusion or questions simply email DFG and they are usually pretty quick at answering any questions on regulations. In California there are DFG hunting rules and then there is area specific rules for each area and one must be diligent on knowing the laws before going hunting. 
 
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I know here in CA lead weights on tires are banned. The replacement ones don’t stay in the tires long, either. 

Just in my trade lead is still allowed as a flashing material, as it is easy to form around pipes, conduits, and tile roofs with penetrations thru it. 

Just like the spotted owl bs, things go sour when laws get created that aren’t looked far enough ahead on the impact a signature can cause. I can guarantee there’s all kinds of artificial products out there probably way worse than lead, tainting our soils and irrigation waters.
 
Sure, in California no hunting is allowed with ANY lead shot or bullets. All hunting bullets must be either solid copper or some non-toxic alloy. The Sacramento politicians banned hunting with anything lead a few years back. It started about 15-20 years ago as a way to protect the endangered California Condor, which is actually a giant scavenger vulture/buzzard. Then they figured it would be a good way to discourage hunting. And, they were successful. Once the lead projectiles were banned, state hunting revenue dropped significantly. The same DEMOCRAT politicians have been clamoring about banning ANY lead for ANY purpose for years. Additionally, since January, you can't buy a box of ammo unless you pass a back round check, the same check as when purchasing a firearm. It is also illegal for California subjects to purchase ammo out of state and all mail order ammo is banned. Your ammo purchases are kept in a state database with your name and address. It's only a matter of time until lead bullets will be banned at all rifle and pistol ranges, as well as, trap, skeet and sporting clay ranges as well. Sacramento democrats see it as a very effective form of gun control. At least that is my opinion.
"The same DEMOCRAT politicians have been clamoring about banning ANY lead for ANY purpose for years. Additionally, since January, you can't buy a box of ammo unless you pass a back round check, the same check as when purchasing a firearm. It is also illegal for California subjects to purchase ammo out of state and all mail order ammo is banned. Your ammo purchases are kept in a state database with your name and address."

That message should be voiced often and loudly. Even put it in a profile signature.