California to Hold First Public Workshop On Lead Ammo Ban

A series of public workshops on California’s new statewide ban on lead hunting ammunition begins this week. The Department of Fish and Wildlife says it wants to hear from the people who will be most affected by the law.  

Backers of the law say it will help protect wildlife, especially some endangered birds.

“It has been long established by science that lead left in the field from ammunition, poisons birds and creates a toxic environment for some of our most iconic species such as California condor, bald eagle and golden eagle,” says Garrison Frost with Audubon California.

Gun groups and hunters oppose the law. They say it amounts to a de-facto ban on hunting.

The first CDFW workshop is Tuesday in Ventura. Final wording on the law must be in place by next year. Lead ammunition must be completely phased out by 2019.