December 26, 2010
Switch to Copper Bullets?
To the Editor:
Re “Get the Lead Out of Hunting,” by Anthony Prieto (Op-Ed, Dec. 16):
A total ban on traditional ammunition containing lead-core components is unnecessary and not supported by evidence that wildlife populations are being harmed. The National Shooting Sports Foundation opposes a ban, and so do the majority of hunters, as well as target shooters who never fire a shot at game.
Hunters are great supporters of wildlife conservation, but this is an agenda-driven issue of anti-hunting groups. The 11 percent federal excise tax on the sale of ammunition is a major source of wildlife conservation funding.
Alternative ammunition using other types of bullets will cost more, reduce hunting and ammunition sales, and result in the loss of millions of conservation dollars.
Stephen L. Sanetti
Newtown, Conn., Dec. 16, 2010
The writer is president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.
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To the Editor:
Anthony Prieto wants to ban lead bullets in favor of copper ones in order to protect scavengers and to prevent hunters and their families from ingesting lead particles in their kill.
If, as he says, he wants to do something good for the environment, he and his hunting buddies should give up shooting defenseless animals for “sport” and instead take up shooting pool.
Sharon Feder
Rego Park, Queens, Dec. 16, 2010
