Barrasso, Lummis Cosponsor Legislation to Protect Wyoming Outdoorsmen’s Access to Traditional Ammo and Tackle

U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis (both R-WY) cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) to prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition or tackle on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science and state wildlife and fish agencies. Currently, there is no clear scientific evidence that such a ban would have any environmental impact.

According to a joint media release issued by the senators, approximately 80 percent of the fishing weights and tackle sold are lead sinkers weighing a half ounce, or less, and 95 percent of ammunition manufactured contains lead according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). A study jointly conducted by the North Dakota Health Department and CDC found the impact on humans who eat game meat hunted with lead bullets to be statistically insignificant.