ATF To Approve Lead-Free Bullets

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has always been opposed to modernizing the world of ammunition in an attempt to ban metals that can be used to pierce armor when used as rifle projectiles.

Many Americans have become tired of the number of gun control laws that have been responsible for stifling the growth and development of the arms and ammunitions industry, with a number of proposals trying to find their way to becoming a law through backdoor lobbying.

Things have been frustrating for many involved in the sector, but there have been some recent changes that have given many a reason to smile. Brian Babin introduced the Alternative Ammunition Manufacturing Act to ensure that gun manufacturers are given the certainty needed to produce certain types of ammunition. This legislation has already been endorsed by the Gun Owners of America, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Rifle Association and it requires the ATF to issue rulings within 60 days of receiving waiver applications, failing which the application shall automatically be granted.

Representative Brian Babin discusses the problems faced by gun manufacturers in trying to get the ATF to respond to waiver requests. Says Babin, “Over the past three and a half years, the ATF has failed to respond in a reasonable and timely manner to requests from ammunition manufacturers who are seeking waivers to produce alternative rifle ammunition for the hunting market made with brass instead of lead or copper.” This caused a lot of uncertainty, both for gun owners and also for gun makers.

Given the dangers posed by lead and the need for lead replacements, manufacturers looking to offer quality lead free bullets certainly don’t deserve to be ignored by the ATF. This piece of legislation will make sure that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shall finally be held responsible for all waiver requests by complying it to take action in a detailed and timely manner.

The legislation shall allow manufacturers to bring alternatives into the market faster. With many states like California beginning to ban traditional lead based bullets, the need for lead replacements and viable lead free bullets is at an all-time high. NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox says, “If the Obama Administration wants these companies to use alternative materials when producing ammunition then they have to tell them what those materials are. It shouldn’t be a secret.”

Whether or not the Democrats oppose the measure remains to be seen, but the President Elect’s response towards gun control and his advocacy of the right to bear firearms certainly does portray a great picture of the future of arms and ammunition in the United States of America.