Governor Brown signs the Anti-Lead Bill

[Chris Merkord]

From the Birding Community E-bulletin, November 2013:

 

On October 11, Governor Jerry Brown of California signed a law banning the use of lead ammunition (bullets and shot) by hunters in California. That state now becomes the first to make such a broad ban. We wrote about this issue last month: http://refugeassociation.org/?p=8256/#closer

The ban on lead bullets and shot was proposed by Assemblyman Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) because lead is toxic and can harm people and animals that may eat animals shot with lead ammunition. 

"We are thrilled that Governor Brown has made AB 711 the law of the land," said Assemblyman Anthony Rendon, who proposed the legislation. "There is simply no reason to continue using lead ammunition in hunting when it poses a significant risk to human health and the environment."

Specific regulations are due by July 2015, with the California Fish and Game Commission to certify acceptable non-lead ammunition. The ban goes into effect in July 2019.

This will expand an earlier ban on lead hunting ammunition in extensive California Condor habitat. The new law covers all wildlife, including "game mammals, game birds, nongame birds, and nongame mammals" such as coyotes.

"The risks to California's incredibly diverse wildlife are many," Governor Brown commented. "We must manage our state's wildlife for the use and enjoyment of all Californians. It is time to begin this transition and provide hunters with ammunition that will allow them to continue the conservation heritage of California."

This lead ban was in a package of gun-control bills before the Governor. He signed 11 gun control bills, but vetoed another seven measures restricting firearms.