Proposed safety regs would dry up ammunition sales
WorldNetDaily.com recently reported that the federal government is considering a series of new rules that would apply to workplaces where "explosives" are handled, giving rise to a concern that the restrictions could be used to limit – or eliminate – reasonable access to firearms ammunition. The issue was highlighted by Rush Limbaugh recently and first covered on this website here.
From WorldNetDaily.com:
- The proposal by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "would have a dramatic effect on the storage and transportation of ammunition and handloading components such as primers or black and smokeless powder," the group said.
OSHA's proposal would "revise" its standards for "explosives and blasting agents" to include ammunition.
"This revision … is intended to enhance the protections provided to employees engaged in the manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, handling, and use of explosives," the federal agency said.
Click 'Read More' for the entire story.
In an alert to its members, the National Rifle Association stated that "the proposed rule indiscriminately treats ammunition, powder and primers as 'explosives," and noted the plan would:
The NRA noted that it is important to note the rule – at this point – still is "proposed."
"So there's still time for concerned citizens to speak out before OSHA issues its final rule. The National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Sport Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute will all be commenting on these proposed regulations, based on the severe effect these regulations (if finalized) would have on the availability of ammunition and reloading supplies to safe and responsible shooters," the NRA said.
The public comment period was originally scheduled to end July 12 but has been extended sixty (60) days until September 10, 2007. To read the OSHA proposal click here (.pdf file).
According to OSHA, you may submit comments, identified by Docket No. OSHA-2007- 0032, by any of the following methods:
- OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2007-0032
U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20210
telephone (202) 693-2350 (OSHA"s TTY number is (877) 889-5627).
Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and the docket number for this rulemaking (Docket No. OSHA-2007-0032). All comments, including any personal information you provide, are placed in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions you about submitting personal information such as social security numbers and birthdates.
The NRA even provided a sample letter for concerned citizens to complete and forward.
- I am writing in strong opposition to OSHA's proposed rules on "explosives," which go far beyond regulating true explosives. These proposed rules would impose severe restrictions on the transportation and storage of small arms ammunition—both complete cartridges and handloading components such as black and smokeless powder, primers, and percussion caps. These restrictions go far beyond existing transportation and fire protection regulations.
As a person who uses ammunition and components, I am very concerned that these regulations will have a serious effect on my ability to obtain these products. OSHA's proposed rules would impose restrictions that very few gun stores, sporting goods stores, or ammunition dealers could comply with. (Prohibiting firearms in stores that sell ammunition, for example, is absurd—but would be required under the proposed rule.)
Gun advocates told WorldNetDaily.com it's just another in a long list of attacks on the American right to bear arms, provided under the 2nd Amendment. WND also recently reported that the government has begun using paperwork errors as small as the abbreviation of a city name to shut down some of the nation's longest-serving gun shops.
Officials said while as recently as 15 or 20 years ago, there were 250,000 licensed gun dealers in the United States, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives today lists only 108,381.
Click here for the NRA's Facts About OSHA's Ammunition Proposal.
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