The UK is set to ban the use of lead ammo – in a move that has started here
UK set to ban lead ammo
SHOOTERS IN THE UK face a ban on the use of lead ammo.
The move, which is reminiscent of the Victorian Government’s decision to ban lead for most forms of hunting, followed the establishment of a taskforce in 2021 to look at the issue.
Ban to affect nearly all shooters in the UK
The news on the ban was broken by the Gun Traders Association of UK, after the “Health and Safety Executive” presented a ‘final opinion’ to ban lead to the UK’s Secretary for State.
That Secretary now has around 2 months to act on it before the proposal goes to Parliament. The proposal relates to lead ammo above 6.11mm – which leaves us with 22s, but that’s about it.
The GTA has gone through the advice and says that the proposal is to prohibit the use of lead shot for both live quarry, and for target shooting.
The proposal will also prohibit the sale of lead shot.
However, the proposal will contain a derogation which would allow a for a number of competitive athletes on the British Shooting list to continue shooting lead shot.
However, this is limited for the purpose of international competition and training – meaning that only a few shooters will be allowed to continue with lead.
The proposal will include some transition arrangements – but will also require the de-leading of ranges.
Except for air guns
THE BAN will not apply to air guns, or to the sale of air pellets. However, this appears to be the only concession given to shooters.
UK shooters need to fight
AS IS THE CASE IN AUSTRALIA, the UK shooting community is facing an uphill battle.
Victoria has already moved to ban lead for most hunting, and it’s probably only a matter of time before it follows the lead set by the UK here.
THE GTA did it’s best to push back on the proposal.
They won some reprieves and worked closely with cartridge manufacturers and others to ensure the trade’s interests were as best represented as possible – but they are losing the war.
As is the case here, UK shooters HAVE to become far more political than they have ever done, if they want to stop the attacks on what they do.
Let’s hope they can get there. That’s why we’re hoping they can at least have parliament toss the proposed lead ban out.
Why not put this on your club’s noticeboard?
With all the unrest in the world you would think some of these Governments could find something useful to assist the general population. The way we are going we will end up like those in England at the start of WW2 when they were training home guard people to defend against attack, they were armed with pitch forks
In Poland they fought,with swords,cavalry,biplanes,muskets,pitchforksand rocks for 3 weeks.Till they lost and went to England those that could.Seems like all governments are trying to control the people.