Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

U.S. Ammunition Industry to Survive Closure of Lead Smelter

Thursday, December 5, 2013

We previously reported on the closure of the nation's last primary lead smelter due to tightened EPA standards on ambient air quality.  As the date for closure of the smelter approaches, there has been a significant amount of speculation concerning the effect of the smelter's closure on the availability and price of ammunition.

According to the United States Geological Survey, lead usage in ammunition makes up only about three percent of lead consumption in the United States.  Lead-acid batteries make up the vast majority of U.S. lead consumption, and these batteries are readily recycled.  This recycled lead, which will still be able to be smelted in the United States at secondary smelters even after the Herculaneum smelter closes, is the type most often used by ammunition manufacturers.  

Speculation about the effect of the Herculaneum smelter's closure has caused a number of ammunition manufacturers, including Sierra and Federal, to issue public statements on their ability to continue to source lead for ammunition production.  As Lawrence Keane, the senior vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, pointed out to Emily Miller of the Washington Times, ammunition producers have known for some time of the impending closure of the Herculaneum smelter and do not believe that the closure will affect production of lead ammunition components.   

While the reduction in supply of primary lead from the Herculaneum smelter could mean increased demand for recycled lead, the small increase in demand should be met by existing sources or possibly by a new U.S. smelter using already existing technology that is capable of meeting the new air quality standards.

In any case, the bottom line for consumers is that ammunition producers do not expect the smelter's closure to lead to any imminent impact on the price or availability of lead ammunition components.  While many factors can affect the market for ammunition, this particular facility's closure should not have the dramatic impact that some have predicted.

TRENDING NOW
Biden’s ATF Runs Wild in His Waning Days, Targets Second Amendment Activist

News  

Monday, January 6, 2025

Biden’s ATF Runs Wild in His Waning Days, Targets Second Amendment Activist

Joe Biden is less than three weeks away from retiring as arguably the worst president of the modern era. 

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

News  

Monday, January 6, 2025

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

It’s really just good news to report that Joe Biden’s director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steven Dettelbach, has announced his resignation.  

The Great Canadian Gun Grab – The End is Near?

News  

Monday, January 6, 2025

The Great Canadian Gun Grab – The End is Near?

As we noted in a previous alert, in early December Canada’s governing Liberal Party announced 324 more models and “variants” of firearms had been added to the list of banned “military grade assault weapons” initially ...

Shocker! Joe Biden Exercises Presidential Authority to Expand Access to Firearms

News  

Monday, December 23, 2024

Shocker! Joe Biden Exercises Presidential Authority to Expand Access to Firearms

No, that is not a headline from a satirical news site. Indeed, it may come as a surprise to many (and perhaps even to the man himself), but Joe Biden has in two short days ...

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to California Gun Show Restrictions

Friday, January 3, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to California Gun Show Restrictions

Yesterday, the NRA filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari in a challenge to California laws that effectively ban gun shows held on state property.

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Inserted Into Bill, Take Action Now!

Monday, January 6, 2025

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Inserted Into Bill, Take Action Now!

Gun control advocates are taking advantage of the lame duck session to pass a gun seizure mandate with little time for public input or debate. Contact your senator using the take action button below and urge ...

Michigan: Anti-Gun Legislation Passed in the Middle of the Night Heads To Governor’s Desk

Friday, December 20, 2024

Michigan: Anti-Gun Legislation Passed in the Middle of the Night Heads To Governor’s Desk

With the sun setting on the 2023-2024 legislative session, yesterday the Michigan Senate held a marathon session lasting over 24 hours. While citizens were sleeping, anti-gun lawmakers were able to pass two pieces of legislation, ...

U.S. Supreme Court Lets Hawaii Off With a Warning … For Now

News  

Monday, December 23, 2024

U.S. Supreme Court Lets Hawaii Off With a Warning … For Now

Last February, we reported on the judicial equivalent of a temper tantrum emanating from the Hawaii Supreme Court over the U.S. Supreme Court’s Second Amendment jurisprudence. 

Colorado: Anti-Gun Legislators Prepare Latest Attempt at "Assault Weapon" Ban

Monday, January 6, 2025

Colorado: Anti-Gun Legislators Prepare Latest Attempt at "Assault Weapon" Ban

As the Colorado State Legislature prepares to begin the 2025 session this coming Wednesday, anti-gun legislators have already started working on a new semi-automatic firearm ban.

EXPLORE Act Heads to Joe Biden’s Desk with Strong Bipartisan Support

News  

Monday, December 23, 2024

EXPLORE Act Heads to Joe Biden’s Desk with Strong Bipartisan Support

The U.S. government manages approximately 28% of the nation’s landmass for purposes that include preservation and development of natural resources and outdoor recreation. 

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.