Buckeye Firearms Association responded on Apr. 2 to efforts by Wayne Pacelle’s Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, which are seeking a ban on traditional lead ammunition for hunting in New York through a petition to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.
The issue has drawn attention because it could affect hunting practices and regulations in New York. The Buckeye Firearms Association says the move is not just about ammunition but concerns who defines the future of hunting in America.
The article republished from NSSF criticizes Pacelle, describing him as an anti-hunting activist, and questions his motivations behind advocating for restrictions on traditional ammunition. Pacelle said, “It’s time to restrict hunters from dispersing this toxic metal across millions of acres of New York’s landscapes, poisoning wildlife and putting themselves and their families at risk from ingesting of lead-infused wild-game meat.”
The article argues that scientific studies do not support claims that traditional non-soluble lead ammunition poses health risks. It cites a 2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study finding blood-lead levels among hunters consuming wild game harvested with such ammunition were similar to those who did not consume wild game. The Wildlife Society Bulletin’s 2022 report noted that between 1990 and 2018, bald eagle populations in New York grew significantly without evidence that ingested lead harmed population levels.
According to the official website, Buckeye Firearms Association advocates for individuals’ rights to own and use firearms legally for self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation according to the official website. The group concentrates its efforts in Ohio according to the official website and delivers alerts about laws affecting gun rights according to the official website. Updates on legislation related to gun rights as well as training information are also provided according to the official website. As a grassroots entity focused on firearm rights according to the official website, its activities center primarily within Ohio according to the official website.
The debate over restricting certain types of hunting ammunition continues as groups advocate differing views on conservation policy. The association maintains that regulated hunting should be guided by professionals using peer-reviewed science rather than advocacy organizations.
