lead ammunition HSE report

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Today, 6 May, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published its findings on the risks posed by the outdoor recreational use of lead ammunition for people, wildlife and the environment in England, Wales and Scotland.

Based on these findings the HSE has launched a six-month consultation on the following proposals for England, Wales and Scotland:
  • ban on the sale of lead shot
  • ban on the use of all types of lead ammunition for live quarry shooting including lead shot, shotgun slugs, lead bullets and airgun pellets
  • ban on the use of lead shot for outdoor target shooting with possible derogations for licensed athletes at licensed ranges with appropriate environmental protection measures
  • ban on the use of lead bullets for outdoor target shooting with possible derogations for shooting at licensed ranges with appropriate environmental protection measures
  • mandatory labelling of the packaging of lead ammunition regarding the hazards and risks of lead.
Proposed transition periods for the above restrictions to take effect would vary from 18 months to 5 years. Buy-back schemes for lead shot cartridges and rifle ammunition have been proposed.

BASC statement:


BASC blog:

What a surprise.

What proposals has BASC had accepted by Government for a buy-back of redundant guns - those which can no longer be viably used with non-lead shot?
At a family level, we're looking at (conservatively) a replacement cost of around £24,000 as a result of the successful outcome of BASC's ...er...activism.

I would point out that inaccurate and misguided propagandising by shooting organisations has done an enormous amount to facilitate the interests of the anti-shooting lobby here. Thank you so much.
 
I’m not sure you are correct. What about chest shot deer? Will everyone remove the pluck and gralloch from the ground and dispose of it as contaminated waste? The trouble is the minuscule fragments that you speak of are still contamination.
If you don’t shoot it with lead there will be no lead contamination…
This is the point of risk assessment. Mitigation by action-like wearing a seatbelt in a car.

The statement ‘there are no realistic ways to limit the amount of lead entering the environment’ is predicated on the belief that lead buried deep into some turf or in woodland is a significant issue.

It is also unlikely to be properly if ever policed. Quite a few brands/models of bullets are quite useful for dual purpose.

Chest shot deer- if shot with lead dont put in to gamedealer/be a better shot.

The most important questions:
What does the landowner want?
What does the commercial food chain want?

If shooting for home consumption by choice then whats the issue?
 
Today, 6 May, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published its findings on the risks posed by the outdoor recreational use of lead ammunition for people, wildlife and the environment in England, Wales and Scotland.

Based on these findings the HSE has launched a six-month consultation on the following proposals for England, Wales and Scotland:
  • ban on the sale of lead shot
  • ban on the use of all types of lead ammunition for live quarry shooting including lead shot, shotgun slugs, lead bullets and airgun pellets
  • ban on the use of lead shot for outdoor target shooting with possible derogations for licensed athletes at licensed ranges with appropriate environmental protection measures
  • ban on the use of lead bullets for outdoor target shooting with possible derogations for shooting at licensed ranges with appropriate environmental protection measures
  • mandatory labelling of the packaging of lead ammunition regarding the hazards and risks of lead.
Proposed transition periods for the above restrictions to take effect would vary from 18 months to 5 years. Buy-back schemes for lead shot cartridges and rifle ammunition have been proposed.

BASC statement:


BASC blog:

Not going to be able to host those MPs on pheasant days now, eh?

BASC is an utterly useless and corrupt organisation.
 
Apthorpe is bang on the money. Maybe BASC and others see it as a managed retreat, I'm cynical I see it as I'm all right jack. For some elements of shooting sports it is just disaster. Tonight I'm shooting prone comp cards, don't see much mileage for the club or me when you are replacing the barrel on a Supermatch to shoot rounds that presently don't exist. Even if copper, rebarrel every couple of years to maintain accuracy. The options for my club (indoor shooting), none. Redesign the range, additional sound proof it, rebarrel the rifles to take copper or whatever is available. All on the tiny amounts clubs have for income. Don't fancy the clubs chances. These types of club evolved along with the disciplines around the use of lead, even the buildings have been shaped by the ballistics. I cannot see a way forward for those disciplines.
 
Apthorpe is bang on the money. Maybe BASC and others see it as a managed retreat, I'm cynical I see it as I'm all right jack. For some elements of shooting sports it is just disaster. Tonight I'm shooting prone comp cards, don't see much mileage for the club or me when you are replacing the barrel on a Supermatch to shoot rounds that presently don't exist. Even if copper, rebarrel every couple of years to maintain accuracy. The options for my club (indoor shooting), none. Redesign the range, additional sound proof it, rebarrel the rifles to take copper or whatever is available. All on the tiny amounts clubs have for income. Don't fancy the clubs chances. These types of club evolved along with the disciplines around the use of lead, even the buildings have been shaped by the ballistics. I cannot see a way forward for those disciplines.
Actually, I'm bang off the money. I just looked up the cost of replacing our guns and it's more like £40,000 than the out-of-date figure I used. All as a result of complete idiocy, and it's not like anyone didn't tell them they were taking the wrong path.
 
If shooting for home consumption by choice then whats the issue?

but the nanny state wants to protect us from ourselves by making sure you do not put your health at risk by using lead, but as I say the same nanny state is happy to allow a very much larger group of the population kill themselves by smoking, may be the tax income from smoking has something to do with that.
 
Apthorpe is bang on the money. Maybe BASC and others see it as a managed retreat, I'm cynical I see it as I'm all right jack. For some elements of shooting sports it is just disaster. Tonight I'm shooting prone comp cards, don't see much mileage for the club or me when you are replacing the barrel on a Supermatch to shoot rounds that presently don't exist. Even if copper, rebarrel every couple of years to maintain accuracy. The options for my club (indoor shooting), none. Redesign the range, additional sound proof it, rebarrel the rifles to take copper or whatever is available. All on the tiny amounts clubs have for income. Don't fancy the clubs chances. These types of club evolved along with the disciplines around the use of lead, even the buildings have been shaped by the ballistics. I cannot see a way forward for those disciplines.

as I read the report, indoor ranges will be ok to continue with lead, always assuming manufactures consider the market sufficient to justify continuing production of lead ammunition. Naturally you will pay a lot more for it.
 
As I have said here and/or elsewhere there must be no derogation for "licensed athletes" (that is Commonwealth and Olympic Games shooters) the ban if it is to come must be for everybody. For else wise those who could and would make a difference (that is Commonwealth and Olympic Games shooters) will have not interest in fighting a ban. Just as they had no interest in 1996 in fighting the Tory fullbore pistol and subsequent Labour small bore pistol bans. There must be no "I'm alright Jack" escape from any ban for a self-appointed coterie of "licensed athletes".
 
If this is a REACH type process, the sale of lead ammunition will be banned. Nobody will be using it indoors, or for their special exemption. It will be unobtainable, and numerous current uses of lead ammunition will be effectively banned altogether. Everyone knows that, pretend as you wish.

Given the justifications given for this process, there is no logically acceptable basis for exempting the armed forces either.
 
Lead is not good for humans, that's certain, BUT where's the evidence that lead from ammo has caused harm? There seems to be a lot of hot air but little, if any substance.
The logic seems to run like this:
All cows eat grass.
Horses eat grass,
therefore horses are cows!
 
I have only just skimmed the report, but already consider it to be studious and balanced . A starting position. I was expecting something poor, but no, it is not. Study it (I am going to do so before preparing my response to the consultation.)

We could all personalise this according to how we individually like to operate.

E.g., for me, I long ago decided that my shotgunning activities were unconscionable, using lead. So I have not shot anything but steel (the only realistic alternative) for many a year. Even then, choosing to use a cardboard shot cup with a felt wad behind. No they don't work as well as other things, but my conscience is clear.

What is all this whataboutery talking of single use plastics? The wads are all are all single-use. Plastic wads are engineered to a fine state, but last almost forever. Alternatives that supposedly biodegrade in laboratory conditions, are not as good, nor do they disappear instantly. I've got a few scattered about, and they are all still there after a few years. Not in the Lab. Even if they do fade away eventually, that will only be into micro plastic particles (which personally doesn't bother me despite Sir David Attenborough's obsession about such matters in his dotage.) TBH I probably generate more micro plastic waste by washing my "fleece" jackets made from PET, hopefully re-cycled from pop bottles. But I prefer to wear wool, tweed and so on.

Incidentally I converted my private clay shoot to deliver the spent cases for re-cycling, at no cost, instead of burning them in a barrel then burying the remains in a pit.

We used to be given "free" plastic bags to take home our shopping. But, eventually that was stopped. Altogether for the better.

However my target shooting with rifles, a frivolity really, but an important part of what keeps me going, could be caught up in the crossfire. I do hope that doesn't happen. As do I shoot a lot of air rifle, to keep my hand in. No, the tin pellets are rubbish.

Really it is the shot gunning people who have to change. They are the problem. Rifle shooters not so much, except that some of what we do does have implications on carrion eaters and above. Please don't throw us under the bus.
 
As long as people still have lead water pipes and as already said, lead roofs I will continue to use lead.

As far as I'm concerned, the article is utter bollocks. I haven't come across a suitable lead free bullet for 22lr. I also haven't come across a suitable bullet for shooting deer other than stood perfectly broadside at 99 yards with no wind. I'd love to slap the people that come up with this ****. Also @Conor O'Gorman what is basc intending on doing? Rolling over as per? You will be out of business before long if this gets through.

The few shooters that use lead free and scream about it are unfortunately the ones who have brought this upon on, it certainly seems to have snowballed off the back of dealers refusing to take carcasses.

Once again, the shooting community have shot themselves in the foot. In 50 years time people will ask 'why can't we get people involved in shooting anymore', dead simple, you can't even shoot a bloody air rifle. Tin pellets? They're shocking. Poor us? Poor future generations.
 
Ha! I was waiting for it!

The trouble is Lead still isn't banned.

They should just get it over with. Ban the sale of all lead ammunition across the board from January 2024.
You really are a tit aren't you. This effects a dam site more shooters than just stalkers. This effects EVERYONE. From kids who won't be able to start shooting using the old air rifle to people who just want to print some groups at the range. Comments like yours have genuinely ruined the shooting community. Pipe down and get back in your box 👍
 
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